Meeting held : 13 March 2008
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 13TH MARCH 2008
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:03 PM
The Acting President Com. B. Johnson occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
C. Christodoulou, M. Thistlethwaite, A. Tattersall, A. Kerslake (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. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. C. Drane seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch appointing: - L. Heaney in place of N. Allen.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegate welcomed".
Com. B. Holmes seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, M. Want, L. Hankinson, C. O'Sheades and J. Diamond.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch:- regarding the Federal Government's recent announced formation of the Peak Superannuation Advisory Group as a sounding board for the government on superannuation issues. The Union said that clearly, the government was considering implementing the changes to superannuation announced in its pre-election policy including the establishment of automatic consolidation of lost superannuation accounts. They said that these changes would have a significant impact on working people and that Unions NSW needed to establish a position on some of these issues. The Union requested that the matter be considered at the next meeting of the Public Sector Employees Superannuation Committee.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the matter be referred to the Public Sector Employees Superannuation Committee as requested."
Com. S. Bali seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch:- advising that one of the key policies for the new government is to boost opportunities for training of Australian workers and those entering the workforce. The Union said that the government's policy "Skilling Australia" promises 450,000 additional vocational and education training places over four years. They said that this was a significant step and should be widely applauded. They ETU said that the union movement in NSW needs to quickly consider the opportunities this presents for working people and young people in our state. They requested that Unions NSW convene a meeting of interested unions to consider forwarding a proposal to the Federal Government regarding how the additional places promised under "Skilling Australia" could best be utilised in NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting of unions to consider the opportunities for NSW workers under Skilling Australia be convened as requested."
Com. B. Riordan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Services Union of New South Wales:- regarding the new Federal Industrial Relations System and Harmonisation. They said that the Williams Report had been delivered to the State Minister for Industrial Relations and was tabled at the joint meeting of Federal and State IR Ministers. The Union said that the Williams Report represents a significant contribution to the debate as to the nature and shape of any future National Industrial Relations System, not least of all because it offers genuine hope of stability in the political processes that surround IR, affords protection of the Rights at Work of employees currently in State Systems, and resolves the uncertainty and confusion that has surrounded the exclusive use of the corporations power by the Commonwealth for making of laws in regard to IR. They said that the approach advocated in the Williams Report meant that no NSW worker would see any of their current rights diminished now or into the future. The ASU said that as debate on these matters was current, they believe that Unions NSW should take every step possible to advance the debate further on these issues and on the significant advantages offered by the course of action outlined in the Williams Report. The ASU requested that Executive endorse the Secretary in taking all steps necessary to advance the propositions in the Williams Report which will protect the Rights at Work of New South Wales working families.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW seek to advance the propositions outlined in the Williams Report for a new national/state system of industrial relations as requested."
Com. V. Higgins seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch:- regarding how the debate on climate change was now reaching into all aspects of our lives including the workplace. The Union said that strategies were being considered to combat climate change meant that all workplaces not just those that emit fossil fuels would be called upon to take action to reduce green house gases. They said that workers should be fully involved in the development of any climate change strategies in their workplace including receiving appropriate information and being party to discussions about climate change. The Union said that the attached ACTU Position Paper on Global Warming commissioned recently provided a good background into the issue and action union members could take. They requested that Unions NSW circulate the Position Paper to affiliates and encourage them to forward it to their members as a means of strengthening workers ability to be involved in the climate change debate.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the ACTU's Position Paper on Climate Change be circulated to affiliates as requested."
Com. B. Riordan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Women's Conference
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Amanda Tattersall reported on the Women's Conference held earlier in the week. She said that over 430 delegates attended and that there were some excellent presentations. Com. Tattersall said a number of unions had strongly supported the conference; in particular she thanked the National Union of Workers and Vice President, Marilyn Issanchon for their efforts.
In closing, Com. Tattersall said that the next steps were to formulate a plan to progress the key outcomes of the conference.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. M. Issanchon seconded.
CARRIED
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be adopted and Deputy Assistant Secretary, Amanda Tattersall and Vice President Marilyn Issanchon be thanked for their efforts with the Women's Conference."
Com. B. Parker seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Palm Sunday Rally and March For Peace
Sunday, 16th March 2008
1.30pm - Palm Sunday Service & Multi-Faith Prayers for Peace
Amphitheatre at Parramatta Town Hall
Guest Speakers:
Rv. Dr. Niall Reid, Moderator, Uniting Church
Ms. Mona Ashgari, Iranian Community
Mr Onofre Andres Jr., Filipino Community Western Sydney
Mr Mark Lennon, Unions NSW
2.10pm - March through Parramatta then Rally.
For further information contact Peter Murphy 0418 312 301
2. THERE WILL BE NO UNIONS NSW EXECUTIVE OR GENERAL MEETING NEXT THURSDAY, 20TH MARCH 2008.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 16PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
