Meeting held : 07 December 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 7TH DECEMBER 2006
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:03PM
The Acting President Com. B. Johnson 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. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing:- H. McNabb in place of J. Owen.
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, B. Smith, N. Lewocki and J. Kiejda.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
GUEST SPEAKER
The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson, introduced and welcomed Mr Brett Solomon from the Getup Organisation and invited him to address the meeting.
Com. Solomon showed a brief video about Getup, an independent, progressive campaigning organisation that seeks through its membership to make a difference on important issues like the war in Iraq, media ownership laws, global warming and workplace laws. Com. Solomon spoke about Getup's plans for 2007 and how unions could both get involved with Getup as well as utilising Getup to assist in union campaigns.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson thanked Com. Solomon for his address and said that Unions NSW had supported the establishment of Getup and maintained a close connection through Unions NSW Officer, Amanda Tattersall, who is on the Getup Board. Com. Robertson encouraged affiliates to contact Com. Solomon to discuss how their union could get more involved with Getup.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch: advising that they had successfully resolved claims against Rexma Pty Ltd on behalf of their member Mr Jin Woog Kim who was the victim of a serious workplace accident earlier this year and his employer had no Workers Compensation Insurance. The Union said that the WorkCover NSW Insured Workers Liability Scheme had now accepted responsibility for weekly compensation payments. They said that over the last 3 months the union had also been campaigning for the payment of correct overtime rates and other entitlements for the period Mr Kim had worked for the company and that the wage claim had now been settled. They thanked those affiliates who had assisted their campaign.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the CFMEU be congratulated for achieving a successful outcome for their member Jin Woog Kim."
Com. B. Parker seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the NSW Teachers Federation:- regarding World Aids Day which was held on Friday, 1st December when attempts are made to raise awareness about the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. The Union said that Aids is one of the biggest killers of people in the world today and that there was no sign of it letting up. They said that over 70 million people were infected with HIV and that 30 million had gone on to die because of aids. 40 million people worldwide are HIV positive or living with aids and that the majority of these people were women and children and that a vast number are workers who are no longer able to contribute their services to society. The Union said that in some areas the situation is being dealt with however this was not the case in the Asia Pacific Region. They said the area with the greatest growth of infections was Papua New Guinea and that Australia had also experienced a frightening increase of 17%. Whilst people in western countries are able to access the drugs which keep them alive, this was not the case in other countries and that while there had been great leaps forward with drugs to help deal with HIV/AIDS, there was still no vaccine in sight. They said that the only current method of stopping HIV transmission was to make sure that people are educated about how to prevent infection. The Union advised that two officials from their union have been raising funds for the three major AIDS NGO's in Sydney and that they had done this by selling wrist bands and ribbons and had participated in a Walk for Aids. They requested permission to sell ribbons and wrist bands and that sponsorship forms for donations be circulated to affiliates for their support. They said that there seems to be the idea in Australia that Aids had gone away and that this was probably perpetuated by the attitude of the current Federal government. They said that this was a false impression and could well be the reason for the alarming increase in infection rates in Australia.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted and that Unions NSW circulate the correspondence and encourage affiliates to support fundraising efforts for NGO's working on HIV/AIDS."
Com. F. Barnes seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW of a three year study being conducted by Dr. Raj Velayutham and his team at the Centre for Research on Social Inclusion at Macquarie University. They said that the research focused on temporary skilled migration of Indians to Australia. The Union said that temporary skilled migration had become a critical issue as more and more migrants were coming to Australia under this visa category. They said that guest workers employed under subclass 457 visas were targeted by the Howard Government's radical industrial relations changes and was making them one of the more vulnerable groups in society. The Union requested that Unions NSW and its affiliates encourage Indian guest workers employed in any occupation under the temporary skilled migration 457 visa category to participate in this study by contacting Dr. Raj Velayutham on 0423 133 986 or selvaraj.velayutham@scmp.mq.edu.au in order to support the campaign to stop the exploitation of guest workers. They also requested that Unions NSW condemn the policies of the Howard Government in relation to guest workers and that correspondence be sent to the Prime Minister, John Howard calling on the Government to ensure that guest workers receive wages and conditions equal to those of Australia workers.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the study of Indian Guest Workers at Macquarie University and that affiliates be advised of the details.
Further, Unions NSW reaffirm its opposition to the Howard Government's Guest Worker Policy."
Com. B. Parker seconded the resolution.
Dr. Raj Velayutham spoke.
CARRIED
4. From the Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch; The Transport Workers' Unions of Australia, NSW Branch and The Hon. John Della Bosca, MLC, Minister for Industrial Relations:- regarding the recent announcement by the Iemma Government with respect to the NSW State Government's Procurement Policy and Industrial Relations requirements. They said that this was a welcome addition to the government's endeavours to protect workers in NSW against John Howard's draconian industrial relations laws and to ensure that a Labor Government only does business with those companies who are prepared to abide by the new policy.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted and that Unions NSW congratulate the NSW Government for its initiative and calls upon all state owned corporations and local government bodies to also adopt the policy.
Further, Unions NSW congratulate Chris Christodoulou and the Unions who have pursued this matter over many years."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution.
Com. T. McNulty a Courier driver addressed the meeting on the issue.
CARRIED
5. From the Public Service Association of New South Wales: - regarding the running of its job cuts campaign which Unions NSW had endorsed and advising of their partial success in the reduction of the threat by the NSW Opposition Leader, Peter Debnam to cut public sector jobs from 29,000 to 20,000. The Union said that one job cut in the public sector was one job cut too many and that the NSW public sector was already cut to the bare bones. They said that any further job cuts would lead to a loss of services by cutting frontline jobs or jobs which support those in the frontline. The Union said that in the lead up to the State election they had prepared a petition that calls not only on the Government, but on all political parties, to pledge no reduction in overall budget spending, no further job cuts and to guarantee on handing over of the state industrial relations system to the Howard Government. The Union sought the support of Unions NSW for their petition and said that the petition was not just for public sector workers to sign, but should be spread amongst the community, because it was the people of NSW who would be affected by any job cuts and services lost because of any job cuts.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn Peter Debnam for threatening to cut 20,000 public sector jobs and hand over the state industrial relations system to the Howard Government.
Further, Unions NSW endorse the PSA petition and encourage all affiliates to circulate the petition amongst their members and the wider community."
Com. J. Irving seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Lindsay Campaign Report
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson introduced Ryan Graham and Marc De Szell who had joined the Lindsay Campaign after they both experienced the consequences of what can happen to young workers under the WorkChoices Legislation. Ryan and Marc both spoke at the Sky Channel broadcast at Penrith on November 30th and have been instrumental in the formation of the Young Workers Rights at Work Group because they were so angry about what was happening to young people and how they are getting done over by WorkChoices. Ryan said that since he had been sacked he had applied for over 50 jobs. Ryan thanked the Lindsay Committee who raised over $1000 at the Sky Channel broadcast venues which the committee hoped would assist him with his dream to become an apprentice jeweller.
2. Notice of Rule Change
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson announced that in accordance with Rule 40 notice was hereby given that at the Unions NSW Annual Meeting on 15th February, 2007 it was proposed to amend the following rules:-
Rule 2
Add the words "District Councils" after Regional Councils.
Rule 3 (c)
Delete and replace with "Shall have the power to prevent and settle, by conference or otherwise, any dispute between members of the Unions forming Unions NSW and any employer(s), and to endeavour to uphold the Rules of any Union which is affiliated to Unions NSW; failing which, to provide ways and means for the maintenance of the Union involved."
Rule 6 (b)
Delete the words "From the February 2004 Annual Meeting" at the start of the paragraph.
Rule 12(c)
Insert new Rule 12 (c):
Subject to Rule 44, the Trustees have the power under the direction of the Executive or Finance Committee to:
(i) hold and apply the assets referred to in rule 12(a) as they think fit, with the powers, discretions and authorities that they would have if they were the absolute owners of those assets, including the power to borrow money on the security of those assets or give a guarantee secured against those assets; and
(ii) borrow money, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of Unions NSW.
Renumber 12(c) and (d) to (d) and (e).
Rule 24 (h)
Delete word "eight" and replace with "two" in line one.
Rule 29
Rename Organising & Campaigning Committee
Rule 31 (d)
In the second line change "be" to "include".
Rule 32 (b)
(i) Delete the words "advertising in one or more newspapers and" in line one.
(ii) Delete and replace with "a circular sent to the address of each affiliate to Unions NSW."
Rule 39 (a)
In the third line replace the word "fifteen" with "ten".
3. Andrew Whiley - Members Equity
Com. Whiley addressed delegates about the recent merger of Members Equity and Industry Funds Services which would provide better services for Members Equity customers. He stressed the benefits of Members Equity for workers and their families compared to other banking and financial services providers. Com. Whiley encouraged affiliates to promote Members Equity to their members and to discuss with Members Equity how this could best be achieved.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the reports be received."
Com. C. O'Sheades seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the reports be adopted"
Com. J Diamond seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Scrolls of Honour 2007
Affiliates wishing to nominate a delegate from their union to receive a Scroll of Honour at the Annual General Meeting on 15th February 2007 should forward their nomination in writing to The Secretary before the close of business on Monday, 29th January 2007.
2. Last Meeting for 2006
As this was the last weekly meeting for 2006, the Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, wished all delegates a happy and safe Christmas and New Year on behalf of the officer and Executive. Council will resume on the 1st February, 2007.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 49PM
Acting President:____________________________________
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