Meeting held : 03 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 3RD MAY 2007
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00 PM
The Acting President Com. B. Johnson occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] C. Christodoulou, M. Thistlethwaite,
A. Peters (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
OPENING
OF THE
MEETING: The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson opened the meeting by recognising the traditional owners of the land on which the meeting was being held the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. B. Holmes seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. S. O'Sheades seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, M. Lennon, M. Thomson, C. Game, B. Kruse, M. Stuart, J. Killen, M. O'Halloran, L. Hankinson, J. Diamond, T. Moriarty, J. Irving, A. Gavrielatos, B. Lipscombe, C. Moswak and J. Dixon.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Australian Nursing Federation: requesting assistance with the $5+ appeal to help rebuild a future for East Timor nurses. The union said that as a result of recent political violence in East Timor, 81 nurses had their homes burned to the ground or destroyed by vandalism and included the homes of Association of Nurses of Timor Leste (AETL) personnel. They said that the AETL office in Dili had been looted and equipment stolen.
The nurses' homes were targeted, not because they were nurses, but because their homes were empty while the nurses were at work caring for their community. They union said that for some of these nurses it was the second time they had lost their homes and they remain without adequate housing for themselves or their families, living under dangerous and difficult conditions as they work to deliver health care to others in the East Timor community. The Union advised that with the support of APHEDA, they were launching the $5+ campaign and would be asking nurses, friends of nurses, people who have been cared for by nurses and corporate groups in Australia to assist by donating to the fund which will be directed specifically to rebuilding the East Timor nurses' homes. They said that the average income for a nurse in East Timor is low at around AU$200 per month and that rebuilding a home in East Timor costs around AU$5,000. Most nurses' in East Timor do not have bank accounts and therefore do not have the collateral for a loan or the income to repay a loan. The ANF said they were hoping to raise $400,000 and that donations were tax deductible and could be made by cheque or money order to APHEDA Inc and posted to the ANF in Melbourne. Alternatively donations can be made via the ANF website www.anf.org.au and click on the $5+ icon.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and details of the ANF/APHEDA campaign to rebuild a home for East Timor nurses be circulated to affiliates for their information and support."
Com. B. Holmes seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW Branch:- regarding the Manufacturing Industry Action Plan 2005 - 2008. The union said that they were concerned at the apparent decision by WorkCover to ignore a commitment made by the Minister in relation to "Transient Workers" as a manufacturing priority issue. They said that the NSW Government had previously committed to the implementation of a training program for this vulnerable group of workers, including those employed in the labour hire industry, by group training programs and 'dynamic environment workers' (installation, shutdown and disassembly). The union said however that WorkCover recently announced that they no longer consider it to be within their purview to support/develop/register/administer training programs. They said that WorkCover had suggested that in place of a professionally developed training program, a 'guidance note' would be developed and left on the WorkCover website. The union advised that during the deliberations of the working party it had already been agreed that this demographic of workers had little or no computer training or access to computers making the suggestion by WorkCover laughable and clearly inaccessible to the majority of workers in the industry. The AMWU are seeking the support of Unions NSW for their campaign to secure funding for this important training program, which was in line with recommendations arising from the NSW Workplace Safety Summit 2005 and was essential to ensuring the safety of workers in transient industries.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the AMWU campaign to secure funding for a training program for transient workers.
Further, Unions NSW raise this matter with the Minister's Office as a matter of priority."
Com. M. Hoban seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW of the decision of the John Holland Group to join Comcare. The union said that three John Holland companies had recently been granted a license to operate as self insurers for workers compensation under the Federal Government's new Comcare scheme. They said that this decision was taken by John Holland without any meaningful consultation with employees or their trade union representatives. The Union said that they were concerned that a number of employees and their families employed by the John Holland Group may be disadvantaged by this move and said that rights and entitlements owed under NSW workers compensation and occupational health and safety laws had been lost. The Union said that they were also gravely concerned about the erosion of jurisdiction of the NSW WorkCover Authority on John Holland site and said they understood that in Western Australia, a WorkSafe WA inspector had been refused entry on a site following a serious accident. The Union requested Unions NSW organise an urgent conference with Minister Della Bosca to be attended by all relevant building and construction unions and that it was vital that the union movement outline their concerns to the State government. They also sought the support of Unions NSW for a protest rally on Tuesday, 8th May 2007 outside Parliament House to voice their concerns.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reaffirm its concerns about the move by John Holland and other large companies to join Comcare.
Further, Unions NSW organise an urgent conference with Minister Della Bosca regarding this matter and also circulate details of the protest to be held outside state parliament on Tuesday."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:- condemning Senator Heffernan's comments about the Deputy Leader of the Federal ALP, Julia Gillard. The Union said that the Labor movement should not tolerate or stand idly by, when such offensive remarks are made towards another human being. They said that the Senator's "apology" was weak, shallow and unconvincing and clearly was delivered with as much conviction as a lizard on a log on a warm summer's day. The union called on Unions NSW to condemn Senator Heffernan for his very offensive comments, reaffirm our strong commitment to reinstate fairness in the workplace and to call on Prime Minister Howard to summarily dismiss the Senator.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW add its voice to the collective condemnation of Senator Heffernan over his comments about Deputy Opposition Leader, Julia Gillard.
Further, Unions NSW support the call for the Prime Minister to take strong action on this matter and seek the Senator's resignation.
Com. P. Kelly seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Australian Services Union, NSW & ACT (Services) Branch: - advising Unions NSW of a dispute with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The union said that two of their members had been unfairly dismissed, simply for raising grievances in a collective way rather than as individuals. They said that they union would be pursuing reinstatement for their members. The Union advised that for many years they have had a good working relationship with the Society however, this had changed with the appointment of a new Operations Manager who has advised that they intend to commence bargaining across New South Wales.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting of affiliates with members at St Vincent de Paul Society be convened to discuss both the issue of unfair dismissals and the organisation's proposal for bargaining across New South Wales."
Com. G. Derrick seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union: - regarding the outrage expressed this week by big business with respect to the ALP's Industrial Relations policy confirms the view that workers and their unions are there only for the economic good of society. They said corporations see those workers not as part of that society and were only being utilised to make profits and they should have no rights whatsoever. The union said that WorkChoices had never been about equity and fairness but about large corporations having absolute control of the industrial relations system. They said there was nothing in the policy that was going to inhibit our economic prosperity and that there were plenty of economists who supported this view. They said that what the policy does do is restore fairness to the working relationship which is a foreign concept to big business. They also said that the ALP should hold the line and not be intimidated into any watering down of its policy.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW note the outcry by big business with respect to the ALP's IR Policy and call upon the ALP not to be spooked by such predictable comments."
Com. M. Want seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Campaign Report
April 22nd Rockin For Rights
The Secretary, Com. Robertson reported on the successful Rockin For Rights Event held on Sunday 22nd April. He said that over 40,000 people participated in the march from Hyde Park to the Sydney Cricket Ground, and a further 20,000 people participated in the rock concert at the Cricket Ground. Com. Robertson thanked all of the artists who had donated their time for free. Further, he acknowledged the success of the event was also due to the hard work of affiliates and the Rights at Work Committees. Com. Robertson also thanked all the officials and staff of Unions NSW, in particular Chris Christodoulou, Dan Kildea and Stephen Dampf.
2. Opening of Refurbished Trades Hall
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson reported on the Official Opening of the refurbished Trades Hall on the 1st May, 2007 by Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir, AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales. He thanked the officials and staff of Unions NSW who had helped organise the historic event. In particular, Com. Robertson thanked Kelly Laing, Bill Pirie and Neale Towart.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the reports be received and noted"
Com. B. Parker seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Community Protest To Demand Fair Pay
Mean Fiddler Hotel, Rouse Hill
Friday, 4th May 2007 at 3p.m.
Cnr. Commercial & Old Windsor Road, Rouse Hill
2. Rock The Block '07
Saturday 5th May 07 between 11am - 4p.m.
Eveleigh Street, Redfern
Entry is by donation with proceeds going to Elouera Mundine Gym's Children's Dance Studio.
3. May Day March & Rally
Sunday, 6th May 2007
11a.m. for 12 Noon March
Hyde Park North
For Further information contact Jaime Midson on 9265 8438
4. Protest Howard's Attack on Injured Workers,
Widows & Safety
Tuesday, 8th May 2007
1pm - 2.30pm NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street
Speakers: Mark Lennon, Assistant Secretary, Unions NSW
Dave Noonan, Secretary, CFMEU Construction Division
Andreia Viegas, Widow of killed worker.
NSW Council for Civil Liberties
5. North Sydney & Lower North Shore YR@AW Group
Have your Say at our next meeting on
Tuesday, 8th May 2007 5.45pm for 6pm Start
Neutral Bay Community Centre
(Upstairs Hall) 190 Military Road, Neutral Bay
For further information Phone (02) 9281 9151 or go to their
Website http://groups.google.com/group/northsiderights
6. Free WorkChoices Debate
Workplace Freedom? - WorkChoices One Year On
Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts Controversies Series
Thursday 10th May 2007 commencing at 6pm.
Level 1, 280 Pitt Street (Between Park & Bathurst Streets) Sydney
Speakers: Russell Lansbury (Professor of Work & Organisational Studies, Faculty of Economics & Business Sydney University
Ron Baragry (In-House Counsel, AIG & former partner Cutler, Hughes & Harris). For further information contact outreach@sydneymsa.com.au or (02) 9262 7300.
7. 2007 Mothers Day Classic
Join the Your Rights At Work team in the Mothers Day Classic 2007. Walk or Run for Breast Cancer Research.
Sunday 13th May 2007
For further information about how to participate in the YRAW teams, visit memberconnect.com.au or call 1300 362 223
8. Meeting on Climate Change
Retired Members of AMWU, CFMEU and MUA have organised a meeting on climate change.
Tuesday, 15th May 2007 at 10.30a.m
Tom Mann Theatre, 136 Chalmers Street, Sydney
Speakers include Peter Primrose MLC, Mark Diesendorf (Academic) and Jack Mundey.
9. Industrial Relations Society of NSW
48th IRS Convention 2007 - 'More To Work than WorkChoices'
Peppers Fairmont Resort, Leura
18th - 20th May 2007
For further information telephone the Administrator on
(02) 9630 5211 or email IRSNSW@bigpond.com.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 30PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
