Meeting held : 25 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 25 OCTOBER 2007
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.06 PM
The President, Com. S. Moait occupied the chair.
PRESENTJ. 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. S. McManus seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. M. O'Halloran seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Australian Services Union of New South Wales appointing:- H. Purse, L. Comerford, M. Flinn, S. Freeman and A. Pugh as ASU delegates for tonight's meeting.
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:- C. Haigh, D. Williams, J. Diamond, A. Ferguson and N. Lewocki.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. V. Higgins seconded.
CARRIED
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Com. F. Barnes asked whether the Secretary was aware that Workers Out is planning a farewell for Alison Peters to thank her for her efforts supporting the organisation.
In reply Com. Robertson said he was not aware of this. He also said the Committee is happy to have a discussion about Workers Out, and Unions NSW continuing its support of the organisation.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:-advising that TNT staff at Mascot head office, Queensland and Victorian offices have endorsed a non union agreement which would cover approximately 130 employees. The Unions said that about 10 weeks ago members informed them that management were putting together a non union agreement which contained, among other things, a 2% increase on 1 July 2007 and a 3% increase on 1 January 2008. However, the Union said members and staff rejected the offer and sought a similar deal with Union involvement. As a consequence, Union officials met with management to put in place a mechanism to negotiate a union agreement with the involvement of the TNT staff union representative committee and the Union. The Union said at that meeting management tabled an offer that provided for a 3% wage increase only. The Union said that further meetings ensued and members became increasingly confused and concerned as they were left with two competing options, namely: A union agreement that provided 3% increase effective from date of lodgement, or a non union agreement that provided a 2% increase effective from 1 July and a 3% increase effective 1 January 2008. The Union said that it has 50% plus membership density at the TNT sites, but because management has refused to negotiate the workers have voted for the non union agreement.
The Union therefore calls on Unions NSW to assist them in ensuring that members and staff at TNT are not disadvantaged or confused by management's differing offers and the utilisation of the WorkChoices legislation.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW offer its assistance to the USU to ensure members at TNT are not disadvantaged by the management's attempts to confuse members into signing a non-union agreement."
Com. M. Want seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union:- advising of a campaign currently underway to improve staff ratios in child care centres (as set out in the NSW Children Services Regulations) for children under the age of two, from 1 staff member to 5 children, to 1 staff member to 4 children. The Union said the campaign is being coordinated through an alliance of peak organisations, training institutions and unions and has the support of a number of major child care providers and peak organisations. The Union said that last year the NSW government commissioned and received a report on child care ratios which recommended that the quality of care provided to babies would be significantly improved if the mandated ratio was changed from 1 to 5, to 1 to 4. The Union said that the majority view of this Ministerial Task Force was that the change in ratios would improve the quality of care to babies and toddlers and cause little or no reduction in accessibility for child care places and very little impact on the cost of care. In conclusion the Union urged members to support this campaign.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the campaign to have the current staff ratios in childcare centres for children under two reduced to 1 to 4."
Com. M. Boyd seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, the Hon. Joe Hockey:- responding to the Secretary, Com. J. Robertson's invitation to a debate about the benefits of the national workplace relations system and research commissioned by Unions NSW. In response to this request the Minister said that during the course of this election campaign he was in receipt of many requests by potential opponents for debates, and if Mr Robertson considered himself a political opponent or was seeking election to Parliament the Minister would be happy to consider this request, otherwise, as with other union leaders, he would be happy to schedule a mutually convenient time for a chat.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the Secretary seek the Minister further consider the request for a debate on the basis that it would be a debate between two individuals with clearly opposing political views."
Com. J. Kiejda seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association, NSW Branch:- condemning comments made earlier this week by billionaire retailer, Gerry Harvey, in which he advocated creating a second tier of workers who would be sourced from overseas and paid 50% of the existing wage paid to local employees. The Union said the proposal is both morally offensive and economically flawed and if Australia wants to remain a developed economy we need to pursue a high skill - high tech model, and not the economic low road. The Union said Mr Harvey's comments serve to highlight the extent to which the WorkChoices laws have fostered an exploitative approach to wage setting. The Union went on to say 100 years ago Justice Higgins enunciated the principle of fair and reasonable remuneration with a focus on the human person performing the labour, and their right to provide a dignified existence for themselves and their family. The Union said that the approach advocated by Gerry Harvey reduces the human person to a mere commodity serving someone's preferred economic model, and he needs to be reminded that the economy is not an object to be served, but rather the economy must be a framework which serves its citizens. In conclusion, the Union said the fight to abolish WorkChoices is the first step in re-establishing a platform of wage determination based on fair and reasonable remuneration.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW add its voice of condemnation to the outrageous call by Gerry Harvey for the introduction of a second tier of foreign workers who would be paid a lower wage rate.
Further, Unions NSW notes that such comments are an example of the sort of IR reforms the nation would face should the Howard government be returned."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. 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:-regarding the latest package of reforms introduced by the Government to improve benefits for injured workers. The Minister said that the Premier has announced the June 2007 valuation of the WorkCover Scheme by independent actuaries, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, confirmed that the Scheme is now $812 million in surplus and as a result the average workers' compensation premium will be reduced by five percent for all policies, new or renewed, after December 31, 2007. He went on to say that in addition a further package of workers compensation benefit reforms will be put before Parliament next month to provide for:
• A 38 percent increase in the maximum lump sum payment for permanent impairment to $390,000;
• A 28 percent increase in the lump sum paid if a worker dies from a work related incident to $425,000;
• All workers sustaining a compensable permanent impairment to receive an additional amount for the pain and suffering;
• Permanent impairment and death benefits to be indexed annually;
• The permanent impairment assessment process to be streamlined to ensure compensation for pain and suffering is consistent and equitable for all workers; and
• More workers to have their ongoing benefits commuted in a one-off payment in restricted circumstance.
The Minister said while the review of statutory benefits available to injured workers by the WorkCover Board is continuing, the Government determined that it would have been unfair to workers not to proceed with these changes at this time in view of the continuing strong performance of the Scheme and based on fundamental issues already identified by the Board.
The Minister concluded by saying that this package is in addition to the $250 million set aside from the December 2006 Scheme surplus for initiatives to assist long term injured workers.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW welcome the Premier's announcement of improvements to the Workers Compensation Benefits as part of the ongoing Benefit Review."
Com. G. Derrick seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, TSA Division:-requesting support of affiliates for the Cochlear Workers Campaign for a union collective agreement and specifically asking affiliates to advertise to their members the following activities in the campaign:
• Tuesday 30th October between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.: Launch of the Chinese language television advertisement at the Cochlear factory, 14 Mars Road, Lane Cove, by Com. J. Robertson and with the Your Rights at Work Bus. Affiliates are asked to attend and bring union flags as a sign of support for these workers.
• Wednesday 31 October 8 a.m. to 9.30- a.m. 6th Asian Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implants and Related Sciences at the Bayside Auditorium, Sydney Convention Centre Darling Harbour. Action is in support of Cochlear workers.
The Union said Cochlear Limited continues to refuse to negotiate a union collective agreement and the company had mislead the media by saying the AMWU refused to negotiate an employee collective agreement. The Union said the company is well aware that workers have 4 times rejected this, and that under WorkChoices S327 the employees would lose their fundamental rights at work, including the right to be represented by their union in individual grievances or disputes, and the right to have their union representatives' 'right of entry' recognised. The Union concluded by urging the support of affiliates for Cochlear workers in their campaign to secure their entitlements and conditions, and for the recognition of their union.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW re-affirm its support for the Cochlear Workers in their campaign to have their right to a union collective agreement recognised by Cochlear.
Further, affiliates be advised of the campaign activities next week, for their information and support."
Com. C. Game seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Campaign Report
Michael Green and Sue Napthali, members of Bennelong Your Rights At Work Group, reported on the Granny Smith Festival held on Saturday 20th October 2007, in the Bennelong electorate, and showed slides of highlights of the event which was attended by Labor's candidate, Maxine McKew.
Com J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. C. O'Sheades seconded.
2. Farewell to Alison Peters
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson thanked Com. Alison Peters for her work as a Deputy Assistant Secretary over the last seven years. He said that as well as being a calming influence, Alison had performed an important role in the organisation in enhancing opportunities for all unions within Unions NSW to work more closely together. Com. Robertson also congratulated Alison on her 23 years of service to the union movement and wished her well in her new position with NCOSS.
In reply, Alison thanked all of her colleagues at Unions NSW for their support. She also thanked affiliates for their support and said how much she had enjoyed working with them over her seven years at Unions NSW. She said that she looked forward to working with Unions NSW in her new role at NCOSS.
The President invited all to share drinks and refreshments with Alison in the Atrium at the close of the meeting.
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. Unions NSW major raffle
Unions NSW will be conducting a major raffle with great prizes. For books of raffle tickets, contact Rose at Unions NSW on 9881 5999.
3. Street Stalls
The Lindsay Rights at Work Group will be conducting street stalls on Saturday, 27th October at Glenmore Park, High Street, Penrith, and Queen Street, St Marys, from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Contact Roger on 4739 6121 if you are able to volunteer some time.
4. Doorknocking and Letterboxing Day around Paddington
Sunday, 28th October, 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Meeting at Paddington RSL (Cnr Oxford Street & Oatley Road, opposite Paddington Town Hall). Bring a YR@W t-shirt if you have one, a hat, a drink and some sunscreen. Contact Luke Whitington 0425 214 731, Nicole Scardino 0403 444 143, or Chris Flatt 0418 169 704.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.55 PM
President:_____________________
About Unions NSW
