Meeting held : 10 May 2007
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 10TH MAY 2007
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), C. Christodoulou, A. Peters (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. V. Higgins seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. V. Horrex seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
For tonight's meeting:
From The Australian Workers' Union of Australia (Greater NSW Branch) appointing:- M. Wilmore in place of R. Collison.
For the ensuing year:
From The Communications Electrical Plumbing Union, NSW Postal & Telecommunications Branch appointing:- S. King, G. McKay, J. Metcher, S. Sheather, and S. Murphy as delegates; and N. Lee, N. Metcher and A. Stockdale as alternates.
From The Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, New South Wales Branch, appointing S. Woodward in place of P. McClelland.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegate welcomed".
Com. J. Hannaford seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Thistlethwaite, S. Moait, P. Kessey, J. Kiedja, C. O'Sheades, B. Fitzpatrick, E. Cody.
QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE
Com. B. Kruse asked if the Secretary was aware of the Government's announcement of the possible sale of retailers in the electricity industry as part of a proposal by the Government to build a new power station. He asked whether a meeting of affiliates could be convened to discuss this issue.
In reply Com. J. Robertson said he was aware of the announcement and the issue, and will convene a meeting as requested.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the NSW Sorry Day Committee:- requesting support for the NSW Sorry Day commemorations on National Sorry Day on 26th May 2007. The NSW Sorry Day Committee is an Aboriginal controlled body practising Aboriginal self-determination, and is made up predominantly of members of the Stolen Generations, as well as members from the wider Aboriginal community and non-Aboriginal supporters. This year is the 10th anniversary of the tabling in Parliament of the Bringing Them Home Report, which acknowledged the violation of human rights that occurred by the decimation of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The Committee said it is planning and organising commemorations commencing with a march, followed by a community gathering in First Fleet Park, Circular Quay, and all groups in the community are encouraged to attend and interact with each other. The Committee stated it is aware of the unions' ongoing and longstanding commitment to justice for Aboriginal people. They are asking Unions NSW for support in seeking assistance from affiliates who could provide marshals for their march.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the details of the request from the Sorry Day Committee for assistance with their May 26 march be circulated to affiliates for their information and support."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW State Office:- in relation to the continued disputes with RailCorp around the implementation of drug and alcohol testing. The Union stated that it does not believe that RailCorp is honouring its obligations arising from the Whelan Report, and requests Unions NSW to convene a meeting of rail unions in order to develop an agreed approach to this issue.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting of Rail Unions be convened regarding RailCorp's implementation of Drug and Alcohol testing as requested".
Com. P. Bastian seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:- regarding WorkChoices and the Howard Government's introduction of an alleged "fairer" test for workplace agreements including AWAs. The Union said that the amendments will not change the public's attitude to these unfair and unbalanced laws nor will they protect employees' rights at work because the alleged test: doesn't apply to those already on AWAs; there is no guarantee of wage rises for those on AWAs; the compensation for the loss of award conditions is very wide (and could include things like car spaces and pizzas); there are wide exemptions (including an employer's economic circumstances "and the fact they have to cut conditions to remain competitive"); and key conditions like redundancy and long service leave are not protected. The Union quoted Andrew Stewart, Professor of Law at Flinders University, who said "this will add yet another layer of complexity to what is already a messy regime." In conclusion, they called on Unions NSW to condemn Mr. Howard's duplicity and call on Mr. Rudd to ensure working Australians and their families can work in an environment where the fair go test applies all round.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn the Government's alleged improvements to the WorkChoices legislation through the introduction of a so called fairness test, as a sham.
Further, that we call on Mr. Rudd, when he comes to Government, to ensure that his IR Legislation applies a genuine 'fair go test' to all working relationships".
Com. M. Want seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Police Association of NSW:- seeking the support of Unions NSW in the establishment of an Independent Inquiry into Police Stress. The Union said such an inquiry is urgently needed to find solutions and treatment options for officers suffering from psychological injuries. The Union said that since June last year 60% of all medical exits were due to psychological illness. Whilst it acknowledged that police officers know their work has inherent risks and stresses, the union said that there is a clear need for new or improved ways to support, treat and prevent psychological injuries. They are seeking that the Government commission and fund an inquiry to examine the causes of stress; prevention and early intervention strategies; as well as treatment options. Such an inquiry should be coordinated by WorkCover, NSW Police and the Police Association of NSW and should involve agreed independent professionals with expertise in workplace psychological injuries. The Union reiterated that it is critical that the inquiry establishes new or improved ways to reduce stress levels, the number of officer deaths and psychological injuries and the number of medical exits as a result of psychological injury. Finally, the Union said implementing recommendations for the inquiry must be seen as a priority and they will work with the NSW Police Force and the Government to ensure swift action occurs once the inquiry reports back.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the Police Association's call that an independent inquiry into stress levels amongst our police officers be established as a matter of urgency by the State Government".
Com. P. Remfrey seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the NSW Teachers Federation: -. Drawing to the attention of Unions NSW the fact that Peter Costello's twelfth budget provides no real increase in funding to public education, and stating that the Federal Government's education priorities are completely wrong and deliberately misguided. They said that with a record surplus, the Federal Government has chosen to bypass the 2.3 million students in public schools and the 1.3 million in TAFE Colleges across Australia. The Union referred to the ACTU's media release of 8 May regarding its report into the economic cost of Australia's skills shortage, which called for a major investment in vocational education and training (VET) in the federal budget. The report stated that education and training has suffered eleven years of neglect under the Howard Government with Australia the only OECD country to have cut public investment in tertiary education by 7 per cent since 1995, while other countries have had an average increase of 48 per cent. The report went on to say that since 1998 more than 300,000 people have been turned away from TAFE and since 2001 almost 150,000 eligible applicants have been turned away from our universities. Australia now ranks below the OECD average when it comes to adults with upper secondary education and the number of new science and engineering graduates, and is also below OECD average in terms of investment in early childhood education. Our ability to compete internationally and create high skilled, high wage jobs for our children is seriously at risk unless the Federal Government invests in social and economic infrastructure, including VET. The ACTU estimates that unless there is substantial new investment in vocational education and training, our economy could lose up to 550,000 jobs by 2025 and national GDP could decline by more than $100 billion. The Federation stated that the Government's proposal to establish more "Australian Technical Colleges" will only duplicate courses already available at TAFE and public schools. In conclusion, the Federation said that it is a national disgrace that the Federal Government, awash with funds, continues to fail public education.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation: -
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW condemn the Government's failure to provide any real increase in funding for public education, in particular additional funding for TAFE".
Com. P. Bradley seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Campaign Report
Central Coast Rights at work
Com. Robertson reported on a recent article in the Central Coast News where a soccer coach was critical of the Rights at Work sponsorship of the local soccer competition. Com. Robertston said sponsorship was appropriate and had been generally well received. He also pointed out that the sponsorship had been endorsed by the committee of the local competition. In closing Com. Robertson said that the story had a pleasing aspect in that it had given the Rights at Work campaign more exposure.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be noted and received."
Com. P. Bastian seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Terry Hicks speaks out on 'war on terror"
Tom Mann Theatre, 136 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills (near Central Station, Sydney)
Saturday, 19 May, 4.30pm - 7.00 p.m.
Speakers: Terry Hicks (David Hicks' father); Omar Merhi (Victorian ETU delegate and relative of one of the 13 Melbourne men arrested last year on terror-related charges); Dr Tim Anderson (academic and activist); Anna Samson (Stop the War Coaltion)
Entry donation: $10/5
Organised by Sydney Stop the War Coalition www.stopwarcoalition.org and by the CFMEU and AMWU
For further information contact Marlene on 0401 758 871 or Alex on 0413 976 638
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.31 PM
Acting President: ____________________________________
About Unions NSW
