Meeting held : 23 August 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 23 AUGUST 2007
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.04 PM
The President, Com. S. Moait occupied the chair.
PRESENT M. Lennon (Acting Secretary), M. Thistlethwaite, A. Peters, C. Christodouolou (Deputy Assistant Secretaries)
OPENING OF The President, Com. S. Moait opened the meeting by
THE MEETING recognising the traditional owners of the land on which the meeting was being held, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.
MINUTES The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary Com. M. Lennon, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. B. Johnson seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia (NSW Branch) appointing:- D. Karlsson in place of S. Davies, and H. Nguyen in place of P. Lane.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon, moved:-
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for:- J. Robertson, V. Higgins, B. Parker, G. Dwyer, B. Smith, P. Jenkins, R. Collison, L. Hankinson, S. Edsale,
C. O'Sheades, J. Diamond, B. Holmes and J. Kiejda.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon, moved:-
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon, advised that it was his sad duty to report the passing this week of Comrade Phil O'Toole, former Secretary of the Federated Clerks' Union. Com. Lennon said that Com. O'Toole who was in his 90s took a fall in his home last Saturday, necessitating an operation from which he unfortunately did not survive. Com. Lennon said Com. O'Toole joined the Clerks' Union in 1947 and was elected as Assistant Federal Secretary in January 1954. He was elected Vice President in August 1956, and as President in 1957. Com. O'Toole was elected Secretary of the Clerks' Union in 1958, a position he held until his retirement in 1978. Com. Lennon said the funeral for Com. O'Toole was held today, 23 August, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Neutral Bay. Com. O'Toole will be fondly remembered for his contribution and dedication to the Federated Clerks' Union and our thoughts are with his family.
Com. M. Want seconded and spoke.
CARRIED BY DELEGATES
OBSERVING A MINUTE'S SILENCE
GUEST SPEAKERS
Comrade Peter Garrett, MP
The President, Com. S. Moait introduced Com. Peter Garrett, MP, Member for Kingsford Smith and Federal Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Heritage and Shadow Minister for the Arts, and invited him to address the meeting.
Com. Garrett informed the meeting that the Howard Government is "on the run". He said Howard believes there should be plebiscites regarding nuclear reactors in local electorates and while nuclear energy is the Liberals reaction to climate change the Nationals are getting nervous about this. Com. Garrett said Federal Labor has a strong climate change policy, advocating a 60% reduction in emissions by 2050 and renewable energy targets. He said he is proposing a series of initiatives including employment and job building prospects; a $10,000 low interest loan for home updates for improving energy efficiency; the phasing out of greenhouse intensive off-peak hot water systems; the encouragement of use of solar and gas hot water; and higher rating levels for home appliances.
Com. Garrett went on to say that Labor had pledged to ratify the Kyoto Protocol as it believes this is important for ensuring Australia has a "seat at the table".
Com. Garrett said that Labor would introduce an emission trading scheme by 2010 that was economically efficient; would deliver environmental benefits; and ensure that low income people are treated fairly.
In thanking Com. Garrett for his address, Com. M. Lennon acknowledged that Peter is a great advocate for the environment and has a great ability to sell the Labor message on environmental issues. He wished Com. Garrett luck in the forthcoming federal election.
Comrade Miroslaw Chojecki
The President, Com. S. Moait, introduced Com. Miroslaw Chojecki, a founder of NOWA, the leading independent Polish publishing house and head of publications for Solidarity, and invited him to speak to the meeting.
Com. Chocjecki said he wished to thank the union movement for its contribution to workers' rights in the free world. He said that in Poland the union movement led the overthrow of Communism and brought freedom to Poland. He said that Lek Walensa led the fight for democracy and unions must continue this same fight for free trade unions in Vietnam.
Comrade Trung Doan
The President, Com. S. Moait introduced Com. Trung Doan and invited him to address the meeting.
Com. Doan informed the meeting about the situation in Vietnam where unionists are gaoled and the ruling Communist Party accepts only one union, the Vietnam Grand Confederation of Labor, which is only there to implement Party policy. Not surprisingly, therefore, he said they had never had a strike.
However, Com. Doan went on to say that from 2004 to 2006 there were many unofficial strikes organised by workers, but that since 2006 the government has suppressed such actions and conditions are deteriorating. He said that while many international unions have supported the VGCL it should be understood that this organisation is not a free union, and he called upon international unions to help the independent unions in Vietnam. He said interested parties could check the website protectvietworkers.com.
In moving a vote of thanks Com. M. Lennon said Unions NSW understood the importance of international solidarity and supports workers in other countries in establishing free and independent trade unions.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Nature Conservation Council of NSW:- regarding this year's Walk Against Warming and the challenges to our environment and the quality of life of working people posed by climate change, which if unchecked has the potential to cause agriculture to fail, economies to collapse and many jobs to become unviable. The Council thanked Unions NSW for its continued support of Walk Against Warming, and said that this year's walk will take place on the Sunday, two weeks before the Federal election, when it is expected that participation will increase substantially in Sydney and other capital cities with double the number of regional walks taking place across NSW and the rest of Australia.. The Council has requested Unions NSW make a donation of $1,000 to assist with logistical and promotional costs of organising this year's event, and said Unions NSW could also offer support by helping to promote the event to its members and providing marshals on the day.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the Walk Against Warming as outlined in the correspondence, including a $1,000 donation."
Com. M. Thompson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union:- regarding this week's announcement by Onesteel that it intends to make almost 90% of its Newcastle workforce redundant, which will result in loss of income for more than 300 workers and their families. The Union said this announcement was without any consultation with the workers at the site or their unions, and occurred in the face of yesterday's announcement of the company's massive profits over the past year. The Union said the company had continually refused to respond to its questions about the impact the Newcastle closures will have on their two sites in the Illawarra region. The Union said that Onesteel's actions will have massive implications for the entire Hunter Valley as the direct job losses will have a multiplier effect on jobs, investment and skills throughout the mining, construction and manufacturing industries - and the economic implications for NSW of this company's actions should not be under-estimated. The Union went on to say that the Prime Minister is clearly much more interested in election rhetoric about 'economic responsibility' than actually doing anything, and we cannot wait while the Federal Government fritters away our economic future. They have therefore asked the NSW Premier to take immediate action to convene an Industry Summit, bringing together political, industry, union, academic and community leaders to provide the united focus and impetus needed for NSW to survive in the global economy. The Union called upon Unions NSW to support this request to the Premier.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW approach the State Government seeking they immediately convene an Industry Summit on the economic future of New South Wales."
Com. M. Hoban seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Services Union:- reporting that they have reached an agreement with the NSW St Vincent de Paul Society to settle all outstanding disputes on the terms sought by the ASU. The Unions said the agreement also recognises the ASU delegates as legitimate representatives of the community sector workforce, and commits to negotiating an enterprise agreement with the ASU which will not be a WorkChoices agreement. The Union said the agreement (the terms of which they included with their correspondence) aims to bring to an end the six month campaign ASU members have fought regarding the decisions and style of some Managers at St Vincent de Paul. The Union said that during this campaign union density has grown from 40% to 80% and St Vincent de Paul is now a union organised workforce with 20 ASU delegates. The ASU wished to thank all affiliates for their assistance during the dispute and looks forward to working with St Vincent de Paul Society to make them an employer of choice in the charitable sector, and to work in co-operation on commonly held broader social justice agendas.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the ASU be congratulated on reaching agreement with the St Vincent de Paul on its outstanding issues of dispute.
Further, its thanks for their assistance be forwarded to affiliates."
Com. S. McManus seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union:- concerning the sad news this week that Bernie Banton has been diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma. The Union said that despite his own failing health, Bernie has been a tireless leader of the campaign for compensation rights for all James Hardies' victims, and has been an inspiration and a symbol of what can be achieved by ordinary people, - even against great odds. The Union said that Bernie has also been enormously generous with his time and energy as a supporter of the trade union movement in our struggle against the Federal Government's WorkChoices legislation, and he and his family now have the Union's support at this very difficult time. In conclusion, the AMWU called upon Unions NSW to encourage the State government to fast track one of Bernie's great achievements, the establishment of the Concord Asbestos Research Centre for which a grant of $15 million dollars has been approved, as this would be a fitting tribute to him.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW approach the State Government seeking they fast track the establishment of the Asbestos Research Centre as requested."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Campaign Report
Com. M. Lennon reported on the Your Rights At Work campaign. He said that the bus was in Page this week and was receiving very good support. He reported that unions and local Your Rights At Work groups had collected many thousands of signatures and he urged affiliates to continue their efforts.
2. Comrade Bernie Banton
Com. M. Lennon reported that as noted in the correspondence for tonight's meeting, anti-asbestos campaigner and unionist Bernie Banton has recently been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen, caused by exposure to asbestos. Com. M. Lennon said Bernie is currently resting at home preparing himself for treatment of the illness, but had sent a message to affiliates, and had undertaken an interview with Tim Brunero, which was shown to the meeting.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.55 PM
President: _____________________
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