Meeting held : 19 July 2007
Chair of Meeting: The President, Comrade. Sandra Moait
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 19th
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:07 PM
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: J. Robertson [Secretary], M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
C. Christodoulou, M. Thistlethwaite, A. Peters (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
OPENING
OF THE
MEETING:- The President, Com. S. Moait 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. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted for: - B. Johnson, M. O'Halloran, F. Barnes, B. Smith, B. Kruse.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Deputy Director General, NSW Department of Commerce, Office of Industrial Relations- seeking written submissions regarding the proposed Regulation entitled 'Shops and Industries (Trading) Regulation 2007' and accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement. They said that the Regulation was designed to satisfy the provisions of Parts 2 and 4 of the Shops and Industries Act 1962 relating to:
• Application fee for weekend opening by banks;
• Classification of trades for particular shops;
• Classification of 'general shops';
• Applications for exemption from shop trading hours restrictions; and
• Partitioning off of goods in mixed shops.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and forwarded to the relevant unions for their consideration."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Liquor, Hospitality And Miscellaneous Union, New South Wales Branch:- advising Unions NSW of the outstanding efforts of Care workers in their successful bargaining campaign which has reached its conclusion. The Union said that Care workers were some of the least recognised contributors in the community who every day go into the homes of frail aged and disabled members of our community, providing for their basic daily needs. They said that during the campaign, the Care workers had not only won improvements to their wages and conditions but Care worker LHMU Member Organisers had taken the message of the Rights At Work campaign to over 2,000 of their fellow Care workers across the state.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the LHMU Care worker Organisers be congratulated both for the success of their bargaining campaign and in spreading the message of the Rights At Work Campaign throughout the state."
Com. J. Lloyd seconded the resolution.
Delegate Donna Treyvaux spoke.
CARRIED
3. From the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union, NSW Postal & Telecommunications Branch:- seeking the support of Unions NSW and affiliates in the challenge to prevent Australia Post from threatening or injuring employees in their employment for exercising their democratic rights to support or participate in the broader community Rights At Work campaign.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the CEPU's campaign to ensure members at Australia Post have the right to wear Your Rights At Work T-Shirts and Badges."
Com. J. Metcher seconded the resolution and spoke
CARRIED
4. From the Rail Tram and Bus Union, NSW Branch:- concerning the deaths of two rail workers on Monday. The Union extended their condolences to the families of both workers and said that they felt that everyone represented at this meeting would join them in expressing sympathy and sorrow for the workers and their grieving families. They called upon Unions NSW to take steps to ensure the most vigorous and independent investigation into this disgraceful event. The Union said that it was not well known to the general public, but the rail industry was potentially one of the most dangerous and lethal industries in which people could work. They said that rail safety requires not just vigilance but requires the highest standards of safety culture that can be brought to bear. It seems that this simple fact continues to be overlooked, by those who think employee concerns may be safely overlooked, in favour of political spin designed to obscure the stark facts of the reality of this industry.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW voice its absolute dismay about the deaths of two rail workers at Singleton on Monday and calls on the State Government to ensure that a thorough independent investigation is conducted into the deaths with a view to ensuring these sorts of accidents do not happen again."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Health Services Union, NSW Branch:- expressing their concern about sanctions the Ambulance Service of NSW proposes to apply to actions by their member in his role as HSU Central West Sub Branch President. The Ambulance Service alleges these actions to be inconsistent with the Service's Code of Conduct. The Union said that their member has been threatened with disciplinary action if he does not attend a proposed interview with the Division Manager. The Union said that they had again written to the Ambulance Service indicating that they would be forwarding their concerns regarding such actions to the NSW Department of Health; the Premier's Department; and Unions NSW. The Union said they would appreciate any assistance Unions NSW could provide to resolve this matter.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW offer its assistance to the HSU regarding proposed actions by the Ambulance Service against a sub-branch official of the union for undertaking union activities."
Com. B. Goulding seconded to the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW State Branch:- expressing their concerns regarding the NSW State Government's commitment to a policy of micro economic reform that relies upon privatisation of existing public assets, infrastructure and public private partnership arrangements for the provision of essential new infrastructure. The Union said that despite public opinion and the evidence of its costly failures, recent media comment had exposed NSW Government considerations or proposals for privatisation in some form of public assets including power, lotteries and public transport (both ferries and rail). They said that any such plan will, at the very least, jeopardise not only the safety of the public transport system but also the ability of the Government to effectively plan and manage the economy. The Union said that in view of the significance of the issues involved, they requested that Unions NSW, as a matter of urgency, convene a meeting of public sector and interested unions with a view to developing a campaign opposing the privatisation agenda of the Iemma Government.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW convene a meeting of Public Sector and other interested affiliates in order to develop a campaign of opposition to any proposals to privatise public sector assets by the State Government."
Com. R. Fortescue seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. Campaign Report
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson reported that the Your Rights At Work bus would be visiting the Mid North Coast and New England regions next week and that a range of events were planned. These included delegates' conferences in Port Macquarie and Tamworth. He urged all affiliates to ensure their members in these regions were advised of the bus trip and encouraged to participate in the various events.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
That the report be received and noted."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. Dascia Bennett (Members Equity)
Com. Bennett thanked affiliates for their ongoing support of Members Equity. She advised that Members Equity would be launching several new products in the coming months and that these would continue to provide low cost and effective banking and financial services for unions and union members. Com. Bennett invited those present to join Members Equity staff for drinks following the meeting.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
That the report be received and noted."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Parramatta YR@W Group
The Parramatta YR@W Group will be leafleting Westmead Station on
Thursday 24th July between the hours of 6.30am and 8.00am
For further information contact Michael Hehir on 0421 117 110 or email braadie@iprimus.com.au.
2. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Oral History Program
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust is conducting an oral history program on Cockatoo Island. The Trust said that people's stories are as important as the gritty buildings, dry docks, slipways and wharves found around the island and are calling on all former Cockatoo Island workers to participate in the program. Further information regarding the program is available from Ms Eunice Sarif, Resources Manager of the Trust on (02) 8969 2138 or email Eunice.sarif@harbourtrust.gov.au.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 40PM
President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
