Meeting held : 14 September 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 14TH SEPTEMBER 2006
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:07 PM.
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
C. Christodoulou, 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. B. Holmes seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing:- D. Karlsson in place of J. Owen andP. Lane in place of S. Davies.
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater NSW Branch appointing:- G. Hillier in place of J. Clements and P. Farrow in place of R. O'Neill.
From The NSW Teachers Federation appointing:- N. Major in place of J. Irving, K. Smith in place of L. Takayama and F. Rainey in place of J. Diamond.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. B. Kruse seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: P Jenkins, A. Claassens, B. Ridge, R. Collison, C. O'Sheades, J. Dixon and G. Dwyer.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
GUEST SPEAKERS:
The President, Com. S. Moait, introduced Roger and Denise Hennessey from the Penrith Retirees Group Your Rights At Work Campaign.
Denise Hessessey spoke about the success of the campaign to date and how they had been establishing a number of new groups within Lindsay. Denise said there was a great deal of support amongst the community as evidenced by over 6,000 people signing the petition in opposition to WorkChoices. She said now they are starting to campaign in workplaces. Rosger stated that asking people to sign the petition is a great conversation starter, particularly at netball and other sporting venues, and that has been one of the strengths of the campaign.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson thanked Roger and Denise for their address and said that they and others involved in the campaign are doing a great job. He said that it is a very active campaign and that they are implementing some clever strategies.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Nature Conservation Council of NSW:- requesting support from Unions NSW for the "Walk Against Warming" International day of Climate Action which is being held on November 4th 2006. The Council said that climate change had the potential to disrupt the lives of working people across the globe. They said that climate change was widely declared the most serious environmental issue facing the world and that unchecked, it could cause agriculture to fail, economies to collapse and many jobs would become unviable. The Council advised that as part of the International Day of Climate Change Action a Walk against Warming was being coordinated nationally through the Conservation Councils on November 4th 2006 with events taking place around Australia. They said that actions were also being coordinated in a number of regional towns and cities and in more than 30 countries.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW offer its support for Walk Against Warming event to be held on November 4 and advise affiliates of the event for their information and support."
Com. R. Coombs seconded
CARRIED
2. From Councillor Chris Harris, City of Sydney Council:- advising Unions NSW that he had held discussions with the CFMEU regarding a community rally on the Federal Government's 'workchoices' legislation. He said that the proposed rally would be jointly hosted with the CFMEU and Unions NSW and that the rally would be held at the Sydney Town Hall on 1st November 2006 commencing at 6.30p.m. He said that the support of the broader union movement would make the Town Hall a feasible option, would attract the media and increase the impact of the event on public opinion. He also said that the rally could be used as a fundraiser to support the 107 CFMEU workers engaged on the Perth to Mandurah rail construction who were prosecuted for taking strike action earlier this year.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and in the first instance the question of a WorkChoices Rally at Town Hall on November 1st be referred to a meeting of affiliates."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch - advising Unions NSW of a dispute with Botany Cranes following the sacking of their union delegate, Barry Hemsworth. The Union said that their delegate who is also a member of the Committee of Management of the CFMEU was sacked on Wednesday September 6th for "insubordination". They said that their delegate had been in dispute with the company because of attempts by management to force each individual crane driver to sign OH&S work method statements. Mr Hemsworth had argued that it was the responsibility of management to sign these statements and not individual workers. They said that Mr Hemsworth had refused to accept the sack and was demanding reinstatement. The Union said that as Mr Hemsworth is unable to pursue an unfair dismissal, they would be pursuing unlawful termination and that rather than be dependent on an inadequate legal remedy, Mr Hemsworth was picketing the front gate of the company. The Union requested that a campaign leaflet be circulated to affiliates encouraging them to ring and email the company and to attend a Solidarity Breakfast being held on Thursday, September 21st commencing at 6.00a.m at Botany Cranes, 3 - 5 Excell Street, Banksmeadow. They said that any affiliates are welcome to visit Mr Hemsworth to show their support any day Monday to Friday between 6.00a.m and 4.00p.m.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support theCFMEU's campaign to have its delegate Barry Hemsworth reinstated.
Further, affiliates be advised of the details of the campaign, in particular the Solidarity Breakfast to be held next Thursday, 21st September."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded.
Com. B. Hemsworth addressed the meeting.
CARRIED
4. From the Community & Public Sector Union (PSU Group), NSW Branch:- regarding the Save Medibank Alliance. The Union said that under increasing pressure from unions, media, doctors, community groups and health academics the Government had postponed its plans to commence a share market float of Medibank Private. The Union advised that in the next few weeks Members of Parliament would vote on the Medibank Private Limited Sale Bill which would enable the sale of Medibank Private to occur at any time. They advised that Save Medibank was an informal alliance of academics, trade unions, NGOs such as the Doctors Reform Society, Chronic Illness Alliance and Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association of NSW Inc and former Commissioners of the Health Insurance Commission. The Union said that the Save Medibank Alliance were now focussed on making health policy and the privatisation of Medibank an election issue in 2007 and sought the support and involvement of Unions NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW offer its support to the Save Medibank Alliance and inform affiliates of the campaign for their information and support."
Com. M. Tull seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW that despite the findings of the Jackson Special Inquiry into James Hardie, there has still been no resolution of the issue of fair compensation for victims of Hardies asbestos products. The Union advised that the James Hardie Board would be holding its Annual Information Meeting on Tuesday 19 September at the Westin Hotel in Sydney. The Union said that at the meeting the Board would be asking shareholders to vote in support of increases in their fees and entitlements. Yet the Hardies victims still had no certainty for their own families' future. The Union advised that a Rally to support the Hardies victims would be held outside the Westin Sydney Hotel, Cnr. Pitt Street and Martin Place, Sydney from 9.00am to 10am.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn the proposal by the James Hardie Board to increase their fees and entitlements at a time when victims of Hardies asbestos products are still waiting for a fair and just compensation settlement.
Further, Unions NSW support the rally to be held outside the James Hardie Information Meeting next Tuesday and encourage affiliates to attend."
Com. R. Coombs seconded.
Com. B. Robson, President, Asbestos Diseases Foundation Australia spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Rail Tram and Bus Union, NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW that RailCorp had not only placed their own employee's safety at risk because of staff shortages but that school children must now be supervised by teachers at railway stations because no staff were rostered. The Union said that today at Warrawee Station where there are large numbers of school children who travel by train would be unattended from 1.30p.m. They said that the local school had been advised and that teachers would be required to supervise children at the station. The Union said that they had raised their concerns about station closures and staffing shortages with the Minister for Transport over the past few months. The Union said that they would shortly distribute tens of thousands of leaflets to commuters alerting them to the current staffing shortages and the impact on customer services and safety.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reaffirm its support for the RTBU's campaign for a safe and reliable rail service.
Further, Unions NSW seeks that RailCorp provide sufficient staff at its stations to ensure the safety of commuters - in particular vulnerable commuters such as school children - and the staff themselves."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. ABC TV Mini Series - "Bastard Boys"
ABC Television Network is producing a new Mini-series called "Bastard Boys" which is about the 1998 Patrick dispute.
300 volunteers are required to recreate the Port Botany Picket Line. The filming will take place on Saturday 16th September from 1p.m. onwards at Port Botany. Lunch and Drinks will be provided.
For further information contact the MUA 9264 5024 or muasyd@mua.org.au or the Associate Producer Louisa Kors at loukors@ozemail.com.au.
2. Marrickville Festival
The Inner West Rights At Work Committee are having a stall at the Marrickville Festival.
Date: Sunday 17th September 2006
Time: Between 11a.m. and 5p.m.
The Festival is held on Marrickville Road, Marrickville and attracts around 50,000 people. If you are able to assist with the stall please contact Danielle Mutton on 0439 482 113.
3. James Hardie Protest Rally
Outside the James Hardie Annual Information Meeting
Date: Tuesday, 19th September 2006
Time: 9.00a.m. - 10.00a.m.
Venue: Westin Sydney Hotel, Cnr. Pitt Street & Martin Place
The Protest is against James Hardie Directors seeking huge salary increases. They are still arguing about paying asbestos victims compensation.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 52PM
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