Meeting held : 18 October 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 18 OCTOBER 2007
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.04 PM
The President, Com. S. Moait occupied the chair.
PRESENT J. Robertson (Secretary), M. Lennon (Assistant Secretary), M. Thistlethwaite, A. Peters, C. Christodouolou (Deputy Assistant Secretaries)
OPENING OF The President, Com. S. Moait opened the meeting by
THE MEETINGrecognising 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. J. Kiejda seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia (NSW Branch) appointing:- H. McNabb in place of B. Tubner, D. Karlsson in place of S. Davies, and H. Nguyen in place of P. Lane.
From The NSW Teachers Federation appointing: K. Channels in place of F. Barnes.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. J. Kiejda seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for:- P.Jenkins, F. Barnes, D. Long, B. Smith, A. Ferguson, C. O'Sheades, G. Dwyer. V. Higgins.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Legislative Assembly, Public Accounts Committee:- advising that it is conducting an inquiry into State Plan reporting and is seeking submissions on this issue. The Committee stated that it has noted the importance of reporting performance under the State Plan to the accountability mechanisms under the Plan and to the Government's new performance management budgeting system. The Committee said it has therefore adopted the terms of reference (attached to this correspondence) and is seeking submissions from interested parties by Friday 14 December 2007. Further information may be obtained from www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/publicaccounts and information on making a submission is at http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/V3Home. Any queries should be directed to Russell Keith on 02 9230 3050.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW consider making a submission to the Inquiry into State Plan Reporting."
Com. M. O'Halloran seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Office of Fair Trading:- advising that the Home Building Act 1989 provides for the establishment of the Home Building Advisory Council, whose functions are to advise the Minister for Fair Trading on consumer and industry issues relating to residential building, including provision of funding for education and research. The Office stated that the Minister for Fair Trading has asked them to seek nominations for appointment to the Council. It went on to say that Section 115D of the Act provides for two members of the Council to represent the interests of building industry employees, with only one position currently occupied. The Office emphasised that membership of the Council is in an individual capacity and as such the interests of industry bodies are not formally represented. The Office was therefore inviting Unions NSW to nominate two candidates to the Home Building Council, and in keeping with Government policy at least one woman should be nominated for the Minister's consideration. The Office advised that nominations should be sent to Advisory Councils' Secretariat, Office of Fair Trading, PO Box 972, Parramatta NSW 2124, facsimile 9338 8970, or email secretariat@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au, and that enquiries can be made to Ms Bronwyn Leix on 9338 8993.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW liaise with Building & Construction Unions regarding appropriate representation on the Home Building Advisory Council."
Com. N. Allen seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for the Central Coast and Minister Assisting the Minister for Finance, the Hon. John Della Bosca:-indicating that the term for membership of the Workers Compensation and Workplace Occupational Health and Safety Council ("Council") expires on 31 December 2007, and that he is currently considering the appointment of the Council to 30 December 2010. The Minister went on to say that in recognition of their contribution to the Council he proposed recommending to Cabinet the reappointment of Paul Bastian, Andrew Ferguson, Keith McGuckin, Peter Remfrey and Mary Yaager as members of the Council. The Minister said that Mick Madden, who was originally one of five persons appointed as an employee representative has indicated that he is no longer able to continue in this role and the Minister has therefore requested the nomination of a suitable person to replace Mick Madden to represent the interests of rural employees. The Minister has therefore requested that Unions NSW provide information on the proposed person, including a resume, by Friday, 19 October 2007.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW liaise with affiliates regarding appointments to the Workers Compensation Occupational Health & Safety Council."
Com. B. Riordan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Musicians Section of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance:-thanking Unions NSW for its assistance in achieving long fought for changes to the law, namely the gazetting on 28 September of a new State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) and regulation. The Union said that these changes, which will take effect later this month, are the best news for musicians in NSW in almost 20 years and the first positive step to revitalising their industry. The Union said its access to the NSW Government was greatly improved by the advocacy of Unions NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the thanks of MEAA's Musician section be noted."
Com. J. Kiedja seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:-regarding the government's negative advertisements attacking Labor's trade union front bench. The Union said that this is clearly a tactic to divert attention from the real agenda which is to continue their "supposed" workplace reform if re-elected. The Union said that this move would place up to 1.5 million additional workers on AWAs. The Union went on to say that it is clear that the government's agenda is for no unions, everybody onto AWAs and no true independent umpire to protect working people. In conclusion the Union said that the government cannot hide from the truth that WorkChoices is hurting Australian workers and their families and these workers and their families are ready to call the government to account at the ballot box on November 24.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn the Government's negative advertising campaign on trade unionists and call on them to focus on debating the real issue, the unfairness of the WorkChoices Legislation."
Com. M. Stuart seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Campaign Report
The Secretary reported on the Your Rights At Work campaign. He said that the first of the Workers Days, the Workers Who Care Day, held today, had gone well. A lot of media had been present at both Prince Alfred and Nepean Hospitals. He said the workers who spoke had presented their case well. The Secretary reminded delegates that the bus was going to Macarthur to visit workplaces next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Com J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. M. Want seconded.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Unions NSW Executive and General Meetings
There will be NO Unions NSW Executive or General Meetings on Thursday 15th and 22nd November 2007, due to the upcoming Federal Election. Meetings will reconvene on Thursday 29th November 2007.
2. Granny Smith Festival Street Parade
Saturday 20th October (Bennelong).
Contact Robyn GBriffith for further details on 9881 5918 or rgriffith@unionsnsw.org.au.
3. Lindsay YR@W Group Stall and Petition Signing
Sunday 21st October at Werrington Festival
(corner of Henry Lawson & Batman Avenue).
Contact Matthew Thistlethwaite on 0416 060 972 for further details.
4. Unions NSW Major Raffle
Unions NSW will be conducting a major raffle with great prizes. In the next few days we will be contacting affiliates with details.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.23 PM
President: _____________________
About Unions NSW
