Meeting held : 29 June 2006
Chair of Meeting: The President, Comrade. Sandra Moait
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 29TH JUNE 2006
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:05 PM
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon (Assistant Secretary) M. Thistlethwaite, A. Peters (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater NSW Branch appointing: - M. Wilmore in place of R. O'Neill and C. Bodnar in place of J. Clements.
From The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing: - K. Price in place of S. Davies and P. Lane in place of J. Owen.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. M. Stuart seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - C. Christodoulou, A. Claassens, J. Irving, J. Diamond, N. Lewocki, G. Dwyer, B. Smith.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. J. Metcher seconded.
CARRIED
QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE:
Com. P. Kessey asked whether the Secretary was aware that RailCorp members at stations had this week rejected a proposed agreement that would have seen significant restructuring of the station staff. They have rejected the agreement despite it containing salary increases of up to 6%.
The Secretary, in reply said he was aware of the decision and said that it was a clear rejection of RailCorp management. He said the management at RailCorp needed to have a good look at how they are managing staff and understand that the concerns of members are genuine.
GUEST SPEAKER:
The President, Com. S. Moait, introduced Leah Vosko from the School of Social Sciences, York University, Toronto, Canada.
Ms Vosko said that she had been conducting research for some years into precarious employment in Canada. She said that the issue was mainly affecting women in Canada, however it was starting to impact on men as well. Ms Vosko said she was in Australia to learn from our experience in this area. She said she had noted the similarities between the two countries with these issues, particularly on the issue of casual employment. She said that she had noted also the promotion of independent contractors in Australia which was also a problem in Canada.
In closing Com. Vosko, thanked delegates for the opportunity to speak at tonight's meeting and said that she would be happy to talk about her research with any delegates.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, thanked Leah for speaking and said that the issues were similar and that we have shared experiences with Canada. Clearly, the issues are part of the global agenda he said.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the National Union of Workers', New South Wales Branch: - congratulating Unions NSW and all affiliates involved in making yesterday's Rally at Blacktown such a success. The Union said that the tireless effort of Martin Cartwright, who had been on secondment to their union from Unions NSW for several months, was a major factor in the success of the Blacktown Rally. The Union said that Martin had co-ordinated a number of meetings with various ethnic community leaders to enable them to make contact with the people of Greenway. The Union said that all these communities had been represented at the rally and that almost none were union members. The Union requested that affiliates who have members in Greenway make contact with Martin in order to organise the removal of Louise Markus from office, and to eradicate these disgraceful Workchoices laws.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and affiliates involved in yesterday's rally be congratulated on its success.
In particular, congratulations be forwarded to Martin Cartwright and Chris Christodoulou for their efforts.
Further, Unions NSW calls upon all affiliates to support the marginal seat campaign by encouraging local members to be involved."
Com. M. Bernardi seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, New South Wales Branch: - congratulating Unions NSW and, in particular, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matt Thistlethwaite on the successful outcome in the NSW State Wage Case 2006. The Union said that many thousands of NSW workers in retail and other industries would benefit from the fair and just $20 per week increase determined by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission. The Union advised that they were currently drafting applications to vary its NSW Awards to incorporate the increases. In welcoming this decision the Union requested that Unions NSW make an application on behalf of its affiliates to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to establish a test case standard for NSW Awards containing supported wage provisions increasing the minimum supported wage payable to employees with disabilities who were on the supported wage program.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Deputy Assistant Secretary, Matt Thistlethwaite and Industrial Officer, Alisha Hughes be congratulated for their efforts with the 2006 State Wage Case.
Further, that a meeting of affiliates be convened to consider running a test case seeking to increase the supported wage."
Com. C. Haigh seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Transport Workers' Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch: - advising Unions NSW that 57 of their members had voted to accept a pay offer from Toohey's and Linfox. The Union said that the new contract secured the future of the drivers and their families, and meant that the drivers could afford to continue running their trucks and supporting their families. The Union said that the win by Toohey's drivers was as a result of the long and committed campaign run by them with the Transport Workers' Union. They said that TWU members and their families had been able to secure fair rates of pay and conditions thanks to the support of the community, Unions NSW and other unions such as the PSA.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Toohey's drivers and the TWU be congratulated on the success of their campaign to secure fair rates of pay and conditions."
Com. D. Kicuroski seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Construction and General Division, New South Wales Branch: - advising Unions NSW of a successful protest held earlier this week by members of the AMWU, MUA, CFMEU and the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) outside the Parramatta Office of the Australian Taxation Office. The Union advised that the protest had been arranged at short notice and that around 60 people had attended. They said that the aim of the protest was to put pressure on the ATO and the Federal Government to fix the James Hardie problem once and for all, by enabling the company to claim a tax status that will facilitate just compensation for the victims of Hardies products. Further, the Union advised that they had had discussions this week with the AMWU, MUA and Mr Barry Robson of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia regarding holding another protest next month to pressure the Federal Government to do the right thing by asbestos sufferers in Australia. The Union said that the three unions and the ADFA were planning a marginal seat day of action against sitting federal Liberal MP's and that protests had been planned for July 13th outside liberal electoral offices in Greenway at 11a.m, Dobell at noon and Lindsay at 1p.m. The Union requested the endorsement of Unions NSW for this protest action and that they publicise and encourage all affiliates to attend.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW endorse the protests against the ruling of the ATO which will further delay the payment of compensation by James Hardie to the victims of Asbestosis and that details be circulated to all affiliates."
Com. B. Parker seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union, NSW Postal and Telecommunications Branch: - advising Unions NSW and affiliates of the correspondence sent to Australia Post today following the cowardly action brought to their attention involving the Australia Post Management secret service at yesterday's Blacktown National Day of Protest. The Union said that their members at Australia Post had been threatened with disciplinary action if they took part in the Blacktown Rally.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn the actions of Australia Post in continuing to intimidate union members who attended the Blacktown Protest in their own time.
Further, Unions NSW support any Australia Post worker who faces disciplinary action for attending the rally in their own time."
Com. J. Metcher seconded and spoke to the resolution
CARRIED
NOTICE OF MOTION:
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved that under Rule 44(c) the following proposal be considered and voted upon:
"That the trustees be authorised to grant security by way of a mortgage or other encumbrance over the Unions NSW properties at Gough Whitlam Plaza, Parramatta and/or Homebush Bay to the extent necessary to obtain an appropriate credit facility from a financial institution."
Com. R. Coombs seconded
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
REPORTS
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson reported on the bus trip to the North Coast. He said that the trip had been a great success and had received great community support. A clip about the trip from the TV News in Lismore was played.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted"
Com. C. Game seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. "Your Rights At Work" Central Coast Campaign
Retirees Meeting - Monday 3rd July 2006
at 10.30a.m at Gosford Leagues Club, Dane Drive, Gosford.
RSVP to Ros Aldridge on 1800 688 919
2. East Timor Public Forum
What Happened? Why? Where To Next?
Thursday 6th July 2006, 12.00pm - 2.00p.m, Trades Hall Auditorium
Speakers: Tim Anderson AID/WATCH, Peter Jennings,
Union Aid Abroad APHEDA, Elisabeth Lino de Araujo,
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA East Timor, Tim Brunero,
Union Activist, Diana Lobo, Student
3. Bernie Banton Thank You Dinner
Balmain Leagues Club Saturday 22nd July 2006 7p.m.
Friends of Bernie's are having a Thank You Dinner,
to give the community an opportunity to recognise his selfless
and tireless efforts in representing current and future asbestos sufferers and their families. For further information at Bernies_Benefit_Dinner@hotmail.com or Bob Breen on 0412 204 445
4. The Industrial Relations Society of NSW
Annual General Meeting & Luncheon- Friday 4th August 2006
From 12 Noon. NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Guest Speaker: The Hon. John Della Bosca, MLC
NSW Minister for Industrial Relations
For further information and to RSVP 9630 5211
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 51 PM
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