Meeting held : 19 October 2006
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Com. M. Issanchon
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 19th OCTOBER 2006
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:05 PM
The Acting President Com. M. Issanchon 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. T. Ayers seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing:- M. Edwards in place of S. Davies.
From The NSW Teachers Federation appointing:- S. Denham in place of A. Gavrielatos.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. M. Lennon seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, C. Game, M. Thomson, M. Stuart, B. Holmes, K. Sullivan, B. Kruse, C. O'Sheades, V. Higgins.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Strengthening Local Government Taskforce:- inviting Unions NSW to participate part in the roundtable for the community and environment sector as part of the Taskforce review and response to the findings and recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Financial Sustainability of NSW Local Government. They advised that the roundtable would take place on Thursday, November 16th, 10.30a.m to 12.30p.m at the LGSA office at Level 8, 28 Margaret Street, Sydney. The Taskforce advised that roundtables would be held to explain the findings and recommendations of the inquiry, the establishment of the taskforce and its progress and how stakeholders could participate. The roundtables would also provide the opportunity for participants to advise how potential changes to the way councils operate would affect the community, business and the environment.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and referred to local government unions for consideration and action."
Com. M. Wilson seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance and Musicians' Union of NSW:- advising Unions NSW that they have been working towards the amalgamation of their organisations. They said that they were pleased to report that the amalgamation agreement had now been endorsed by the executive of both organisations and by a special meeting of the Musicians' Union of NSW. The Unions advised that they were now proceeding towards amalgamation according to the endorsed agreement and that both the MUNSW Committee of Management and the Alliance Executive believed that amalgamation of their organisations was in the best interests of musicians in NSW. The Unions said they were seeking the support of Unions NSW and affiliated unions for the amalgamation and requested that it be considered at a meeting of the Unions NSW executive.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the proposed amalgamation of the Musicians' Union and MEAA and congratulate the unions on their decision."
Com. R. Coombs seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:- advising Unions NSW of an article in the Australian Financial Review today regarding the monitoring of 457 visas by DIMIA. The union said that the article stated that site checks were only being conducted on 18% of employers hiring migrants on 457 visas. They said that it goes on to point out that at the same time the number of visas had grown by 42% in the last financial year and clearly, DIMA were falling short in its obligations and that unions were aware from examples they had heard about that the system is open to abuse. The union said that it adds further weight to the argument that the government needs to review the whole 457 visa process.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW renew its call for an overhaul of the 457 visa system."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association, NSW Branch:- advising Unions NSW that employees in the shop and food services areas at UniCentre Ltd, University of Wollongong had been struggling for several years to negotiate a union enterprise agreement with their employer. The union advised that UniCentre Ltd had now approached employees to negotiate an employee collective agreement which the unions would not be formally a party to. They said that this position was unacceptable to employees on site and that this morning employees at UniCentre had unanimously endorsed a motion calling on UniCentre Ltd to engage in good faith bargaining for a union collective agreement with their unions, the SDA and LHMU. The union said that if UniCentre Ltd refused to commence negotiations for a union collective agreement, employees would seek the support of Unions NSW in exposing the hypocrisy of a university service provider funded by student union fees refusing to negotiate a union collective agreement. The union advised that the situation at the University of Wollongong again made a mockery of
WorkChoices, when the democratic voices of employees were given no choice. The SDA said that they would keep Unions NSW informed of developments on site in the coming weeks.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the SDA and LHMU be supported in their efforts to negotiate a union collective agreement with UniCentre Ltd."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
5. From Labor for Refugees: - advising Unions NSW that last week the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party's Social Policy Committee called on a future Beazley Labor Government to permanently protect genuine refugees by abolishing temporary protection visas (TPVs). They said that the Committee also called for the abolition of the 45-Day rule which was an odious law that forces asylum seekers to live off Australian charities, rather than support themselves through paid employment. They said that this report was a big step forward in their campaign to treat asylum seekers fairly and with compassion, and that by adopting these recommendations, a future Labor Government would return Australia to the league of law-abiding nations, following the terms of the UN Convention Relating to the Status On Refugees. They advised that they would be campaigning for the report's adoption at the Party's National conference next April and that they were already talking to all NSW trade unions, asking for their support.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW write to both the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Spokesperson congratulating them on the social policy committee report.
Further, Unions NSW encourage ALP affiliated unions to support the committee's position on refugees."
Com. T. Ayers seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union: - expressing their concern at the announcement this week that the Packer Family's PBL company were selling 50% of its media interests for $4.5 billion was an indictment on the government and their new media laws. The union said that whilst workers struggle to maintain wages and conditions under a
"WorkChoices" deregulated labour market, media barons could make a fortune thanks to the government's decision to protect the free to air television stations under its new legislation. They said that it showed the hypocrisy of this government that workers were faced with no protections and were being forced to sign an AWA or have no job, while media barons could safely do billion dollar deals knowing they were protected from competition. This showed that we are clearly a divided nation.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn the government's hypocrisy in protecting large media organisations whilst at the same time exposing workers to the dangers of WorkChoices."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Union Summer Program 2007
Unions are invited to take interns for Union Summer Program 2007. Dates: Monday January 29th to Friday, February 16th.
3 days of training and 12 days with a Union.
For further information contact: Daniel Kildea at Unions NSW
On (02) 9264 1691 or dkildea@unionsnsw.org.au
2. No Unions NSW Executive or General Meeting next Thursday, 26th October. ACTU Congress in Melbourne.
3. Launch of American Hoax
A book published by Charles Firth of the Chaser.
Wednesday 1st November 2006 at 7.00p.m
In the Atrium of the Trades Hall
Copies of the book will be available for purchase and
signing by Charles. To preview 'reviews' of the book go to
www.americanhoax.com
4. YR@W Worth Riding For - Sydney Wollongong Bike Ride
Date: 5th November 2006
As part of this years ride we have registered the 'Your Rights At Work Worth Riding For' team. We would encourage affiliates to participate in the team and all levels of riders are welcome. Unions NSW will provide all team members with a free Your Rights At Work T-shirt. To register for the 'Your Rights At Work Worth Riding For' team please use the following steps:
1. Visit http://register.gongride.org.au/?Join
2. Search for the Your Rights at Work Worth Riding For Team
3. Click on 'Join'
4. Fill in your details
5. Identify your starting location (Sydney Park or Heathcote)
6. Submit your form to join the team.
Registration will cost $50.00
For further Information contact Chris Christodoulou or Daniel Walton at Unions NSW on 9264 1691.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 23PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
