Meeting held : 16 November 2006
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Comrade Barry Johnson
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 16th NOVEMBER, 2006
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:04 PM
The Acting President Com. B. Johnson occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
M. Thistlethwaite, (Deputy Assistant Secretary).
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, C. Christodoulou, N. Lewocki, W. Hickey, C. O'Sheades, F. Barnes, L. Hankinson, M. Want.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Stuart seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW Branch: advising of the NSW Bar Association's Ä Fair Go for Injured People" campaign. The Union said that there is be no question that the changes made to Tort law in NSW under the Carr government were inconsistent and has resulted in the erosion of entitlements and benefits for those injured through no fault of their own. They said that their experience with the changes made to NSW Workers Compensation bear testament to that fact. The AMWU believes that we should work in conjunction with the NSW Bar Association to campaign for amendments to Tort law to ensure that those injured are adequately compensated and requested that an invitation be extended to the NSW Bar Association to address a Unions NSW meeting.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that a representative of the Bar Association be invited to address Unions NSW on the question of tort law reform.
Com. R. "Fortescue seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia, NSW Telecommunications & Services Branch and Sutherland Shire Your Rights At Work Community Group:-advising Unions NSW that community activists would like to establish YR@W Community Groups in the Lower North Shore and North Sydney area to be known as Northside Your Rights At Work Local Group and Sutherland Shire Your Rights at Work Community Network encompassing the Federal seats of Cook and Hughes. Both groups were seeking endorsement for the establishment of the groups from Unions NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the establishment of Your Rights At Work Community Groups on the Lower North Shore and in the Sutherland Shire and that affiliates be advised of their details."
Com. M. Stuart seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association, NSW Branch: -informing Unions NSW that their members and Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union members employed by Unicentre Ltd had today won the right to work under a union collective agreement. The Union said the employee collective agreement had been achieved through the members remaining well organised and united in their campaign to be able to support their right to bargain.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that the SDA and LHMU members at Unicentre Ltd be congratulated for their successful campaign to have a union collective agreement on site."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch:-advising Unions NSW that as the main representative of employees in the Coal Mining and Power Generation industries, that a discussion paper attached to the correspondence on climate change was endorsed by them. The Union said the paper represented a progressive approach to a complex problem and that the Union believed it was important to make their views clear so as other stakeholders could take them on board. The Union said that they intended to campaign for more rapid and substantial investment by the private sector in low emission technology. Further, the Union said it was committed to ongoing dialogue with industry, environmental groups, political and community representatives. The Union welcomed feedback and constructive dialogue on the discussion paper.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the CFMEU's Mining & Energy Division's discussion paper on climate change be circulated to affiliates for their consideration as requested."
Com. B. Parker seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Hon. John Della Bosca, Minister for Commerce, Minister for Finance, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council: - advising Unions NSW that both the Industrial Relations (Child Employment) Act 2006 and the Industrial Relations Further Amendment Act 2006 were passed by the New South Wales Parliament yesterday. The Minister thanked Unions NSW for supporting the legislative initiatives that will provide essential protections and benefits for New South Wales workers. He said The Child Employment Act was designed to provide a safety net for workers under 18 when they negotiated their workplace agreements under WorkChoices and would ensure that young workers who are unfairly dismissed would have appropriate remedies. Minister Della Bosca said the Industrial Relations Further Amendment Act contained a variety of provisions in response to WorkChoices that would ensure job security for injured workers and workers who made OHS complaints. Further, he said the enactment of both of the state acts was a practical demonstration of the Government's ongoing commitment to the one million workers within New South Wales that still had access to the state industrial relations system. Furthermore, the Minister said the Government remained committed to ensuring that the industrial relations system based on Australian values like a fair go for all applied to all workers.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulate the state government on the passing of its most recent legislative initiatives to protect New South Wales workers from WorkChoices.
Further, Unions NSW welcomes the ongoing commitment by the Government to continue to seek the overturning of WorkChoices despite the outcome of the High Court Challenge."
Com. B. Holmes seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. High Court Decision
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson reported on the High Court Decision. He said that whilst the decision was disappointing he believed that the running of the case was worthwhile. The Secretary said that the decision meant that the way forward was now clear. A change of Government was the only way to overturn WorkChoices. Com. M. Thistlethwaite then reported on the details of the decision.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be adopted and that Com. M. Thistlethwaite and Com. A. Peters be thanked for their efforts."
Com. R. Coombs seconded.
CARRIED
2. Working Students Union Network
Working Students Union Co-ordinator, Com. D. Kildea reported on the Working Students Union Network. Com. Kildea said that the Network was established to increase the present of unions on university campuses. He said it gave students and young activists the opportunity to be involved in union campaigns and to be educated about how unions operate. Com. Kildea said the initiative was put in place as a response to the generally low levels of understanding of what unions are, and what unions stand for amongst young people.
Com. Kildea said Networks were located at:-
• The University of Sydney
• The University of Western Sydney, and
• The University of Newcastle
He said at campus level, the Working Students Union Network was run like any other campus collective. Com. Kildea said the difference was that the Network had resources provided by Unions NSW and that it had direct links with the union movement. He said students had the opportunity to receive union training, and take part as interns in the ACTU's Union Summer and Unions in July programs.
Com. Kildea said the most important part of the Working Students Union Network was the campus organisers. He said Brendan Edghill from the University Sydney would address delegates to report on events and activities that occurred during the year. He said Jack Milroy from the University of Newcastle was unable to address delegates as he was on his way to Vietnam and Natalie Lang was unavailable to address delegates.
In closing, Com. Kildea said Com. Edghill and Com. Lang had both done excellent jobs as Network organisers, however, had both been offered employment with the Australian Services Union and the Finance Sector Union respectively so would be unable to continue on campus in 2007. Com. Kildea wished them all the best for their futures in the New South Wales union movement.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. J. Hannaford seconded.
CARRIED
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson said the Working Students Network had been a great success to date and thanked both Com. Edghill and Com. Lang who he said had done an outstanding job for the Network. He wished them well with their futures.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. CFMEU Sacked Indian Guest Workers Fundraiser
When: Friday 17th November 2006 commencing at 7.30p.m.
Venue: CFMEU, Level 2, 12 Railway Street, Lidcombe.
Further information from Radhika Raju (02) 9749 0409 or
rraju@nsw.cfmeu.asn.au
2. Asbestos Awareness Week
This year's Asbestos Awareness Week will be from the 20th - 24th November 2006. ADFA is arranging a number of events that week.
Monday 20th November - Launch of ADFA's Safe Roof Campaign
10.30a.m. - 11.30a.m at 203 Hoxton Park Road, Cartwright.
Remembrance Day will be held at 11am on Friday 24th November in the Terrace Room, National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. For further information about all the events taking place during the week please contact ADFA on (02) 9637 8759 or email info@adfa.org.au.
3. Half Day Seminar - Unions and the Provision of Public Services
Friday, 24th November 2006 in the Trades Hall Auditorium
(Entry via 377 Sussex Street) 9.30a.m - 12.30p.m.
The ACTU Education Campaign Centre in co-operation with Unions active in public service areas in Australia are holding a half day seminar for unions with an interest in the public services reforms, what unions in Europe, UK or globally are up to in these sectors, along with their link to reforms in Australia. Speakers will include: Malcolm Wing, Head of Negotiations & Services Groups - UNISON UK, Mac Urata - International Transport Workers Federation, London Office., Professor Frank Stilwell, Professor of Political Economy, University of Sydney.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 37PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
