Meeting held : 18 May 2006
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Comrade Russ Collison
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 18TH MAY 2006
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:05 PM
The Vice President Com. R. Collison occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson (Secretary), M. Lennon (Assistant Secretary), C. Christodoulou, A. Peters, M. Thistlethwaite (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia (NSW Branch) appointing:- M. Edwards in place of J. Owen, D. Karlsson in place of S. Davies and K. Price in place of B. Tubner.
From The New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union appointing:- B. Clark in place of V. Higgins.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, V. Higgins, J. Kiejda, C. Game, C. O'Sheades, M. Stuart, M. O'Halloran, J. Diamond, L. Hankinson, P. McGregor.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
1. Com. B. Holmes asked if the Secretary was aware of the protest today outside Kapuka Army Base by 60 nurses against the dismissal of a colleague.
He also asked whether the Secretary was aware of a further protest yesterday in Wagga in support of the same colleague, attended by over 80 nurses, and which also involved the Your Rights at Work bus.
In reply Com. J. Robertson said he wasn't aware of the exact detail of the nurses' protests, but congratulated them on their success. He said it was another example of a union undertaking effective community campaigning.
2. Com. F. Barnes asked if the Secretary was aware of the celebration of Public Education Week and the activities that have been taking place.
In reply Com. J. Robertson said he was aware of some of the activities surrounding Public Education Week and congratulated all involved on their commitment.
GUEST SPEAKER
The Vice President, Com. R. Collison, introduced and welcomed Wendy and Richard Friar, and invited them to talk about their film on the lead up to the Iraqi War.
Richard Friar said they were here to show a short promo of their film No War about the protests in the lead up to the Iraqi War. Wendy Friar said that they were asking unions to think about supporting the completion of the film.
At the conclusion of the promo Com. J. Robertson thanked Wendy and Richard Friar on the work they had done on the film. He said that he had enjoyed talking to them at various times during the project. He added that he hoped there would be a similar community response next year to Work Choices, as there had been to the Government's decision to go to war in Iraq.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad Inc. (APHEDA):- requesting permission from Unions NSW to once again allow them to draw their annual raffle during the meeting on 15th June. APHEDA said they anticipated the draw would take about five minutes and they will invite someone from their major sponsor, Members Equity, to draw out the winning tickets. APHEDA thanked Unions NSW for its continuing assistance.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the correspondence be received and that APHEDA be invited to draw their raffle at the Unions NSW meeting on June 15th.
Further, that Unions NSW circulate a reminder regarding the APHEDA raffle to all affiliates".
Com. B. Holmes seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Premier's Department New South Wales: - advising that the New South Wales Government has established a World Youth Day (WYD) Sydney 2008 Taskforce to assist the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney in their preparations for this event. The Department said that WYD Sydney 2008, which is a major six day celebration of universal solidarity among youth in the Catholic Church, is expecting a minimum of 150,000 registrations, the majority of which will be from overseas. All NSW Government Departments and Agencies will be represented on the Taskforce and the Department is seeking a nomination from Unions NSW to attend these meetings in order to provide input and keep members informed of the planning for the event. It is expected the taskforce meetings will be on a bi-monthly basis for the first twelve months and on a monthly basis thereafter.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW appoint Assistant Secretary Mark Lennon to the Government's World Youth Day Taskforce".
Com. W. Tomlins seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch:- noting the public release this week of details Macquarie Bank's excessively high executive salaries - despite a downturn in the Bank's performance. The Union said it is clear that while low wage workers struggle to get an increase in wages from the Fair Pay Commission, big business continues to demonstrate corporate excess by rewarding its executives with big salaries that are not even based on performance. The Union feels Macquarie Bank should be condemned for its excess.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW condemn the excessive salaries of Macquarie Bank executives.
Further, Unions NSW calls on the Federal Government to take a strong stand on the issue of the regulatory oversight of corporate salaries.
In addition, Unions NSW write to the Fair Pay Commissioner seeking his views on the economic impact of excessive corporate salaries."
Com. B. Riordan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:- advising that members of its Union who attended the Delegates' meetings in Sydney on 18th May were very supportive of the continuing campaign. The Union said members were impressed with the courage and tenacity of those members who have been already affected by John Howard's anti-work pro-corporation IR legislation. The Union said it is aware of the database Unions NSW is maintaining of those unfortunate enough to be hurt by the Howard Government's legislation, and drew a comparison between the current Your Rights at Work campaign and that of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Accordingly the Union called upon Unions NSW to canvass with affiliates the creation of the "John Howard Battlers Victims Club" and invite those who have not received a fair go at their workplace to become honorary members.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW canvass affiliates regarding the idea of the creation of a "John Howard Battlers Victims Club" as a way of further highlighting the injustices of the Government's Work Choices legislation."
Com. M. Want seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the National Union of Workers New South Wales Branch:- regarding its current negotiations with Esselte Australia Pty Ltd. The Union advised that the company has issued all if its warehouse workers an offer of an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA), which severely cuts back their conditions, allowances and penalties. The Union said the AWA eliminates RDOs, Union Picnic Days, meal allowances and paid meal breaks. It said workers will be required to work 38 hours per week averaged over 12 months and a productivity "incentive" scheme will be introduced. It said a 6 month probation period will apply; supervisory staff will not be paid for working additional hours; no afternoon or evening penalty allowances will be paid; and if workers become sick they will be required to call in the nature of their illness, and estimate prior to seeing a doctor how long they will be off work. The Union went on to say that added to this are even more reductions of conditions and wages, including a 4 hour docking of pay should union members require report back meetings. The Union said that Esselte management have boasted that they will "use the new (IR) Act to the letter of the law". The Union asked that Unions NSW write to Esselte Pty Ltd and condemn their AWA proposal. The Union also asked that Unions NSW affiliates boycott any stationery purchases from Esselte Pty Ltd.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW write to Esselte Pty Ltd condemning their AWA proposals, as requested.
Further, Unions NSW advise affiliates of Esselte's position on AWAs so that they can take this into consideration when purchasing stationery."
Com. M. Cochrane seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Regional Bus Tour - Week One
The Secretary, Co. J. Robertson reported on the regional bus tour which would commence in the Shoalhaven on Monday, 29th May. He said there will be street stalls in Nowra, Milton and Ulladulla followed by a community discussion night at the Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club. On Tuesday, 30th May information street stalls will be established at Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma, followed by a community discussion night at Moruya Bowling Club. On the Far South Coast on Wednesday 31st May, information street stalls will be held at Bega, Merimbula and Eden, and a dinner and forum will be held at Merimbula RSL. At Queanbeyan on Thursday 1st June there will be a Trivia Night at the Kangaroos Club and on Friday 2nd June an information street stall will be established at Riverside Plaza.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
2. Denise Guthrey, Child Care Worker
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, asked child care worker, Denise Guthrey, a member of the LHMU, to address the meeting. Com. Guthrey reported that she was dismissed from her local community pre-school in Sydney's western suburbs, after three years of service. She said that she was dismissed for requesting greater job security from her employer, to which she was entitled under the award.
In thanking Com. Guthrey the Secretary said that is was another appalling example of the treatment of the workforce under Work Choices.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rights at Work Campaign function, 7pm - 11 pm, Friday 23rd June
Central Coast Industrial Awareness Night at Iguanas, Danes Drive Gosford. Bring a friend and dress as a worker (in uniform) whose occupation is affected by the new IR changes. $15 cover charge (includes VIP access to function room, private deck/waterfront views and nightclub till 3 am). Contact Jen on 0421 656 844 or Alisha Hughes on 0404 859 368.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.45 PM
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