|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports   
|
|
|
Chris Christodoulou, Deputy Assistant Secretary - Organising
Chris Christodoulou, Deputy Assistant Secretary -
Organising
Chris was involved in a range of activities during 2001, in particular he picked up responsibility for co-ordinating the building and construction industry and also ran the State Wage Case on behalf of the Labor Council. Chris was also actively seeking changes to the way the Department of Public Works and Services deal with the industrial relations issues of its contractors and suppliers. State Wage Case / Lagging AwardsChris, assisted by Paul Howes, again ran the Labor Council State Wage Case in 2001. The Labor Council achieved the flow on of the National Wage Case Decision of $13.00 to $17.00 in relevant award classifications. More importantly however, Labor Council successfully opposed attempts by employers to put barriers in the way of the making of consent awards under principle 2(e) of the State Wage Case Principles. In addition, the Industrial Relations Commission also set forward a process to deal with the problem of Lagging Awards in New South Wales. This particular matter was heard in October 2001. Following negotiations with employers and then arbitration, the Industrial Relations Commission was able to bring forward the operative dates for a number of awards, some of which had lagged several years behind in terms of achieving state wage increases. The issue of Lagging Awards will again be raised at the next State Wage Case with Labor Council attempting to further improve the status of these awards. Building & Construction IndustryDuring the year Chris took over responsibility for the Building and Construction Industry. His role has been to facilitate the making of Project Awards/Agreements and to assist unions resolve disputes on these sites. During the year more than twenty Project Agreements/Awards were entered into with various companies. Major DisputesChris also intervened on behalf of Labor Council to assist unions to resolve a range of disputes at the following sites:
Building and Construction Unions Strategic Planning WorkshopChris co-ordinated a Building and Construction Unions strategic planning workshop on the 22nd and 23rd November 2001. A range of issues were discussed including:
An "in principle" agreement was reached to embark on a more co-ordinated approach to delegate training and to take a more aggressive stance against those companies which do little to ensure compliance in the industry. A full report and strategy document will be prepared by the Labor Council, and the ACTU Organising Centre for the consideration of the Building and Construction Unions in 2002. Non ComplianceNon compliance by contractors on major government contracts continued to be a major problem for building and construction unions during 2001. Unlike the strict adherence by builders to ensure compliance during Olympic construction, the State Government has taken a much more hands-off approach. This has lead to many contractors not complying with payroll tax, WorkCover and basic award/agreement requirements. Labor Council and affiliates have brought examples to the Government's attention and a commitment was given by the Premier in October 2001 to investigate a "whole of government approach" to the issue. This matter will be a priority area for Labor Council and the building and construction unions during 2002. Hindu Temple Helensburgh DisputeThe Hindu Temple Dispute at Helensburgh involving seven stonemasons from India took centre stage in the media for several weeks. Labor Council, the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union, and the South Coast Labor Council assisted these overseas workers to claim thousands of dollars in back-pay and other conditions. The dispute, which saw the stonemasons being paid as little as $300.00 a month and living in illegal sub-standard accommodation, highlighted the inadequacies of the Federal Government's Temporary Work Visa Scheme. Chris played an important role in assisting the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union and the Temple Management reach an out of court settlement. Department of Public Works and Services Goods And Service Procurement AgreementAt the end of 2001 Chris on behalf of Labor Council and its affiliates had successfully secured a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on industrial relations issues as it relates to government contracts with companies who provide goods and services. The Memorandum deals with contractor's obligations to abide by all employment related law including awards, agreements, payroll tax, superannuation etc. The Memorandum of Understanding recognises the rights of union activity and provides procedures to deal with non-complying employers. Chris will co-ordinate union activity regarding the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding. Organising CommitteeChris has assisted during the year with the operation of the Organising Committee. The Labor Council will be reviewing the operation and structure of the Organising Committee in the new year with a view to encouraging more affiliate driven activity. There will be a particular focus on rural and regional organising strategies and supporting those unions who wish to engage in genuine organising and campaigning strategies, which increase rank and file involvement. Federal Election CampaignAs part of Labor Council's campaign activities, Chris liaised with party officers on a range of issues including our "Ripped Off" industrial relations launch and worked on the campaign in the seat of Macarthur. Secure EmploymentChris co-ordinated the development of a draft clause on secure employment for use by affiliates. Whilst the Labor Council has contemplated a Test Case on this issue, the officers have come to the conclusion that the issue should be firstly addressed in the public sector first where prima-facie evidence from both the Public Service Association and NSW Teachers' Federation would suggest wholesale use of temporaries, casuals and labour hire companies is common across public sector departments. Olympic Games ProjectThe book "The Collaborative Games" was launched on the first anniversary of the Olympic Games. Chris assisted the project team who wrote the story. The book was launched by Premier Bob Carr and demonstrates without a doubt the significant contribution made by the Trade Union Movement to win, construct and operate the best ever Games. Labor Council's contribution was recognised by the Government earlier this year for our role in the Olympics when Chris, on behalf of the Labor Council of New South Wales, was appointment to the board of the new Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Other ResponsibilitiesChris continues to play an active role on the following bodies: -
Previous
| Next
| Up
| Title Page
|
|
|
Home | Contact | Feedback | Sitemap | Privacy Statement |
|
© Unions NSW 2001. URL: http://council.labor.net.au/annual_reports/2001/ar2001-Chris.html
Unions NSW is proudly created, designed and programmed by |
 |
 |
  |
