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 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports   
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Labor Council of NSW Annual Report 1998
The Labor Council is the peak body of trade unions in NSW with 75 affiliated trade unions, representing over 800,000 workers throughout NSW. This is the first of Labor Council's Annual Reports, published exclusively on the Internet. A HTML and PDF version can be found at http://www.labor.net.au/lcnsw/annual_report/. Below you will find links to the various sections of the report including an overview of the activities of the officers and departments of the Council. The report also includes additional information such as significant events of 1998, guest speakers to weekly Labor Council meetings, Scrolls of Honour, motions of condolence and a listing of 1998 office holders. Secretary's ReportThe Secretary, Michael Costa, reports on the activities of each of the officers of the Labor Council during 1998. The report is divided up into sections detailing the work of each officer. Michael Costa - SecretaryResignation of Peter Sams
Peter joined the Labor Council in 1982, initially as an organiser, progressing to Assistant Secretary in 1989. He then went on to become Secretary in 1992. Peter brought to the position a refreshing and pragmatic approach to political issues and was well regarded by fellow unionists, politicians of all persuasions and employer groups. During his four and a half years in this role, Peter is attributed with bringing together the industrial and political ends of the Labor movement. He has also been a key figure in securing significant benefits for employees on major infrastructure projects, such as the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and the Homebush Olympic site. Peter always showed strong support for an autonomous Industrial Relations Commission and during the early 1990's when the Commission's power was under attack, Peter was one of the first to voice his opposition to changing what was, and is, a workable system for industrial justice. So it could not be a more appropriate career move. He now becomes part of the system he fought so hard to retain. His colleagues will miss his even handedness, political astuteness, and, not the least, his keen sense of humour. His second to none skills in advocacy will serve him well in his new role. All Labor Council staff and delegates thank Peter for his outstanding commitment and dedication and wish him well in his future endeavours. As a consequence of Peter's resignation, I resigned from the position of Assistant Secretary to contest the vacancy of the Secretary's position and John Robertson resigned from the position of Executive Officer to contest the vacancy of the Assistant Secretary's position. Both John and I were elected unopposed to our positions on 18th June, 1998. New Officers
The appointment of the new Officers reflected my commitment to continue the process of ensuring that Labor Council Officers reflect the diverse range of outlooks and opinions of affiliated unions. The Labor Council is most effective when its Officers are selected on the basis of their skills and abilities. The Labor Council has, over a number of years, played an important role nationally in encouraging debate and discussion in the labour movement. Having Officers which reflect the broadest range of views is the key to our ongoing success.
FinancesThe Labor Councils financial position remains sound. The management account result was as anticipated. During the year Sustentation Fees received increased by $45,488 over the previous year. Costs were kept in check, with salaries and allowances decreasing by $32,915 over the previous year. With renegotiation of leases and new tenants paying rent at a higher market level, total rents increased by $31,431 and this trend will continue in the ensuing year. In accordance with historic practice, the surplus for the year provides funds to cross subsidise the shortfall of the management account. This cross subsidisation ensures that Labor Council affiliations remain at the lowest level possible. As part of the year 2000 compliance audit, all functions requiring timing, such as elevators and security systems have been, or will be, upgraded by 31 December, 1999. An additional $120,000 has been set aside to ensure that future capital expenditures are properly funded. Trades Hall
CurrawongCurrawong still continues to operate at a loss. The deficit for 1997/1998 was $26,726.00 - an improvement of the previous year, which was $37,064.00. During the year Labor Council expended nearly $200,000 on the construction of a training facility for the Trade Union Training Authority. Courses have been held in the facility and the reaction of participants has been extremely favourable. However, we are still receiving complaints about inadequate residential accommodation for course participants. In an attempt to address this issue, discussions were held with Corporate Renaissance Pty Limited with a view to joint usage of the Currawong site. The proposal calls for the construction of three eco-friendly pavilions to be used for accommodation and training facilities, with demolition of eight of the nine existing cottages, the retention of heritage listed Midholme and the blue cottage, and a refurbishment of the Manager's cottage. Under the proposal 5,500 room nights would be available for training and recreational usage. Trade unionists would be able to use an improved facility at a greater level, than is the case today. Vigorous discussions have taken place with all parties concerned with the proposal and, at the Labor Council meeting held on Thursday, November 5, 1998, it was agreed that opponents to the proposal would have a three month period to consider and present alternate proposals. Commitment to TrainingLabor Council's commitment to TUTA, both in terms of direct support and support of its training activities, reflects the Council's commitment to a refocusing of the activities of the union movement towards organising. During 1999, an Executive Planning Day will be held to examine the services, activities and structure of the Labor Council to ensure that the organising priority is met. 2KY & 2HD
During the year a proposal to dispose of shares held in 2HD Broadcasters Pty Limited was considered. The original proposal did not proceed, however, and a second proposal is now being considered. During the year, eight transmitters were installed in Central Western NSW and that completed the rollout in that area for Racing Radio. With the establishment of the Central West transmitters supplied by satellite, it is now a practical proposition to extend the hours of operation by producing live Racing Radio Breakfast Programs and a computerised Racing Radio Overnight Country Music program. Additionally, it was agreed that a trial digital broadcast using the Eureka 147 Digital System would take place. This means that Radio 2KY is one of the first stations in Australia on the digital network. A Hirschenn transmitter and Itis multiplexer were purchased and installed. Test broadcasting commenced in December 1998. Political and Industrial CampaignsThe Labor Council was active during the federal election campaign, with a particular focus on the divisive policies of One Nation. Labor Council produced advertising material which focused on Pauline Hanson's support for the federal government's Workplace Relations Act, 1996. Following polling and research conduced by the Council, advertising was targeted to areas where the greatest impact could be made. The poor performance of One Nation in traditional Labor areas reflects the efforts of the Labor Council and affiliates in exposing One Nation's appalling record in protecting workers' rights.
On the industrial front, there have been a number of significant events. Labor Council's efforts in the area of protecting workers' privacy at the workplace have been rewarded by the introduction of the Workplace Video Surveillance Act, 1998. This Act comes into effect from February 1, 1999, and breaks new ground in protecting workers' rights to privacy. This will be followed, in 1999, by action to protect private e-mail communication. OlympicsThe Olympics and Olympic related projects were prime focuses of the industrial staff. The Labor Council's efforts in this area will be a contributing factor in the successful staging of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Other ResponsibilitiesAdditionally, I held a number of positions during the year; Delegate to the ACTU Executive and ACTU Council, Member of the Advisory Board of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Member of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs External Reference Group: Review of the Points Test, Managing Director of Radio 2KY, Director of 2KY Broadcasters, Director of 2KY Marketing Pty Limited, Director of NSW Race Narrowcasts, Director of Airsales Pty Limited, Director of Chifley Financial Services Limited, Director of Chifley Operating Services Pty Limited, Director of Pacific Power, Director of Sydney Water Corporation, Director of Totalcare Industries Limited and Director of the WorkCover Authority of NSW. John Robertson - Assistant SecretaryResponsibilities
Industrial AgreementsDuring 1998, John co-ordinated the negotiation of project awards and agreements for a number of projects in the building and construction industry. These projects include:-
Each of the agreements and awards involved negotiations with the respective builders and unions to develop arrangements that aim to achieve the completion of the project at least on time and on budget. The agreements and awards deal with issues that increase flexibilities, such as the accumulation of Rostered Days Off, dispute settlement procedures for employer specific disputes, project wide disputes and demarcation disputes. In return, the employees are paid a project productivity allowance for the achievement of agreed milestones identified during the negotiations. In addition to the above, John co-ordinated the negotiation of project agreements for construction work on the following Olympic projects:-
The agreements for the Olympic projects are based on the Memorandum of Understanding developed between the Labor Council, Olympic Projects Unions and the Government. The Memorandum encourages innovation, not only in work methods, but also in the remuneration of workers for improved productivity. John continued to play an integral role with a number of Olympic projects. These included:-
John assisted the CEPU Postal and Telecommunications Branch in a campaign for Telstra employees working on Olympic projects to receive the same project productivity allowances that were paid to other workers. This involved a series of negotiations with Telstra management who were reluctant at first to pay the allowances, but subsequently agreed. In 1998, John led the re-negotiation of wage rates and allowances in the Airport Link - New Southern Railway Construction Enterprise Award. The Award provided the union parties with one opportunity to seek a variation to the wage rates during the construction programme. The first opportunity arose on 1 February, 1998, and this saw the commencement of discussions with the Transfield Bouygues Joint Venture. Issues discussed and agreed included an increase in wage rates of 10%, improved superannuation contributions, increased redundancy entitlements, increased fares and travelling time payments and increased allowance payment for compressed air work. These increases were all achieved with no industrial action. In 1998 John was involved in the re-negotiation of an Enterprise Agreement for the Carlton United Breweries Kent Brewery. The negotiations were conducted over a four month period, with regular meetings of the employees to keep them appraised of the state of play. Over the last five years, the Kent Brewery has become a model site for innovation, workplace flexibility and effective participation of the delegates in the decision making process. This has led to visits from other workplaces, with both management and the delegates looking at how Kent Brewery has implemented and sustained effective change. The final agreement continues the innovative and participative practices that have been developed over the years at the Brewery. The new Enterprise Agreement establishes a set of principles based on the philosophy of "Leading By Learning". These principles are aimed at ensuring the Brewery becomes a leading enterprise and is focused on the business environment. The Agreement defines a leading by learning business as one where individuals, teams, and the enterprise itself, are continually learning and sharing in the development, transfer and use of knowledge and skills to produce continual improvement and the creation of a dynamic comparative advantage. Leading by Learning at Kent Brewery is focusing on:-
The Agreement also contains a set of agreed performance measures that, if met, will provide for an increase in wages over and above those guaranteed during the life of the Agreement, and an annualised salary formula that takes into consideration allowances, and production overtime. Rengo Tokyo DelegationIn November, 1998, John was a member of a Labor Council Delegation, led by Vice President, Michael Williamson, to build on the fraternal relationship between the Labor Council of New South Wales and Rengo Tokyo. During his visit to Japan, John met with officials from Rengo Tokyo and a number of Japanese unions, and visited one of Tokyo's newest gas fired power stations where he met with the union representatives at the power station and was given a tour of the facility. Gas SummitJohn also attended the New South Wales Gas Summit organised by the Premier, the Hon. Bob Carr, MP. The summit was organised as a result of the problems confronting Victoria following the fire and explosion at the Geelong gas plant which saw the complete shutdown of all gas supplies to Victoria and southern New South Wales. The summit looked at issues confronting New South Wales as a result of the crisis, including the standing down of thousands of workers in the manufacturing industry, the potential flow on effects to other workplaces and whether New South Wales would confront the same problems should a similar incident occur. Other ResponsibilitiesJohn's other responsibilities during 1998 included membership on the following boards and committees:-
Mark Lennon - Senior Executive OfficerRSA Agreement
An early focus for Senior Executive Officer, Mark Lennon, in 1998 was the negotiation of a new Enterprise Agreement with Rail Services Australia (RSA). The RSA was established in 1996 following the break-up of the State Rail Authority into four separate entities. It has responsibility for maintenance of the rail network. Since its inception, RSA has been subject to the progressive competitive tendering of its work. In January this year, the Government announced a moratorium on the tendering process until 1 July, 1999, to allow RSA to place itself in a more competitive position. The decision by the Government placed additional emphasis on the EBA negotiations as the RSA sought to use the opportunity presented by the moratorium to improve its efficiency and lower costs. The negotiations began in February and continued throughout the year. RSA sought to introduce, through the EBA process, a new system of working that revolved around the concept of guaranteed pay. The concept was viewed with some skepticism by unions and membership, and, consequently, underwent several modifications, particularly to the system of rostering that will support the concept. As the year was closing, the negotiations were concluded between RSA and the unions and the agreement was to be voted on by members. SRAMark also had responsibility for other rail entities, including the SRA. His major responsibility in this area was the convening of meetings under the 72 hour notice provision of the dispute settling procedure. Many of these meetings concerned the implementation of the outcomes of the job and work redesign project. TAB PrivatisationThe early part of the year also saw Mark involved in the negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding between the TAB and relevant unions which sought to protect the conditions of employees of the organisation upon its privatisation. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding helped reassure the staff of the TAB, as they made the transition to the private sector, that their conditions were secure. ICI BotanyAnother of Mark's responsibilities during 1998 was ICI Botany. This year saw the attempted registration of an employees' association for the Botany site under the provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996. The Labor Council was active in its opposition to the proposal and this saw Mark attend mass meetings on-site, on a number of occasions, to speak out against the proposal. In addition, Labor Council appeared in the registration proceedings before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission as one of the objectors. As the year was closing, it appeared that the attempts to establish an employees' association on the site had failed. Unions at ICI are to be congratulated for their efforts in ensuring members at Botany will continue to have effective representation. Police Officers' ClaimThe claim by the Commissioned Police Officers' Association for a 22% pay increase over three and a half years saw Mark supporting the claim on behalf of the Labor Council. With assistance from the Industrial Relations Commission, the issue was finally resolved with agreement to pay the 22% claim. The Commissioned Police Officers Association' is to be congratulated for its patience and measured efforts in achieving a most satisfactory outcome for their members. PowerChanges to staffing saw Mark take responsibility for industrial matters in Pacific Power, Delta Electricity and TransGrid in the middle of 1998. Activities at Pacific Power have revolved around the work of the award consultative committees. These committees have been considering a range of issues, including acting in higher grade and versatile working hours. Toward the end of the year, the work of a number of the committees was starting to provide innovative outcomes. The upcoming year will revolve around negotiations for a new Award for Pacific Power. These negotiations will include incorporating into the Award the results of the work of the consultative committees. The emphasis in TransGrid focused on the upcoming corporatisation of the organisation and the impact this is to have on employees' conditions. SuperannuationIn the field of public sector superannuation, Executive Officer Lennon was responsible for negotiations with the Premier's Department and Treasury for improvements in the Defined Benefit Scheme, taking over this role from Peter Sams. This process has been taking place for over twelve months. The outcome saw five major improvements to the scheme being passed by Parliament in the autumn session. In addition, this legislation saw the Government make provision for an offer of a conversion from the Defined Benefit Scheme to First State Super. This offer is to be made to contributors in early 1999. Forest Industry1998 saw the climax of the Regional Forest Agreement process for both the south-east and north-east forests in New South Wales. The outcomes of this process were encapsulated in the Forestry Bill 1998. Mark was involved in discussions with the Government over the Regional Forest Agreement, particularly in the south-east. The outcomes were not what the unions were seeking in both areas. Unions are concerned about the impact of the decisions in both areas on employment levels. We will continue to monitor the outcomes throughout the coming year. Other ResponsibilitiesOther responsibilities for Executive Officer Lennon throughout the year included board membership of Chifley Financial Services, ASSET Super, the Industrial Supplies Office, State Transit Authority and the Trades Hall Association. In addition, he continued to monitor the activities of the Australian Trade Union Program at Harvard Foundation. Naomi Steer - Senior Executive OfficerCommunity Affairs
MUA / Patricks DisputeThe MUA/Patricks dispute, which was the most significant industrial event in 1998, highlighted the importance of community links and partnerships. While the community response reflected public outrage at the strong arm tactics employed by the Federal Government and Patricks, it also reflected a strengthening relationship between unions and the community. The MUA was not an isolated case. There were many other examples during 1998 of effective co-operation between the community and unions. ChildcareThe Childcare campaign was originally initiated by childcare unions to protest over the Federal Government's childcare cuts and its impact on childcare workers. It has since developed into a broad-based campaign involving the childcare sector, the NSW Government and the broader community. Labor Council's role has been central to this campaign, including the co-ordination of unions and key childcare organisations' submissions to the Senate Inquiry into Child Care Funding. As part of the Federal election campaign, Labor Council established the Children's Services Lobby (CSL) to campaign over cuts. The steering committee for the CSL involves the Labor Council, the LHMU, the IEU, the MEU and other community organisations, for example the NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS), Families at Work Consultancy, Business and Professional Women (BPW) and the YWCA. In addition, more than 30 organisations and individuals have so far joined the campaign. The CSL model has been adopted by other states. In addition, campaign material, including a childcare election poster developed by Labor Council, was used nationally during the Federal election campaign. In commenting on the campaign Verena Heron from the IEU said; "Labor Council's initiative in building bridges between the community sector and childcare unions gave us a lot of credibility in the community based sector that helped us in our workplace campaign over our workers' conditions." The Senate Report on Childcare Funding was released in December 1998. It fell far short of expectations of unions, women's organisations and the childcare sector. CSL will be actively campaigning in 1999 to change the Federal Government's policy on childcare. Fair Wear CampaignThe Fair Wear Alliance was initiated by the Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) as part of its campaign to improve conditions for outworkers in the clothing and textile industry. Participating organisations include the Labor Council, the TCFUA, individual trade union activists and unions, a range of church groups, including the Mercy Life Foundation, school children and women's organisations, including Asian Women At Work. The aim of the Alliance is to compel retailers to sign the Fair Wear Code, to ensure outworkers receive award wages, and a major focus of the campaign is on consumer education and awareness. Labor Council's role has been to assist in organising events via information to the union movement. To date, more than 20 major retailers have joined up. The TCFUA union considers the Alliance the major reason for success in the area. Barry Tubner, TCFUA NSW Secretary, said, "The biggest benefit of the campaign has been to raise public awareness over the issues which have really helped the union with its industrial agenda." Union and community co-operationOther examples of union and community co-operation which Naomi has been involved in include:- NSW Community Sector DOCSThe Labor Council, the PSA, the ASU, the Nurses' and Teachers' unions, were involved in discussions with the community sector last year over the ongoing turmoil in DOCS. In part, the unions' and Labor Council's role was to ensure that the interests of workers were not undermined in a process aimed at greater openness and accountability. ACTULabor Council was requested by the ACTU to co-ordinate NSW community support for the campaign, including public comment and submissions to the Commission. Labor Council supported the ACTU case by co-ordinating community and women's organisations' input into the case. Other ActivitiesNSW AllianceThe NSW Alliance celebrates three years of ongoing activity and co-operation amongst peak bodies in the community sector. Participating organisations are: the Labor Council of NSW, the NSW Council of Social Services, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants, Youth Action Policy Association of NSW, NSW Conservation Foundation, People with Disabilities, Australian Business Limited, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Evatt Foundation. The purpose of the Alliance is to identify issues of common concern and to participate in campaigns. Some recent examples include:
Many of the issues pursued by the Alliance clearly indicate common concerns over a broad range of issues, including bank closures, community service cutbacks, long hours and high unemployment. Increasingly, individual unions are recognising the benefits of forming links with the community, and several have directly addressed the Alliance seeking their support and assistance in developing and initiating campaigns. Public AffairsIn addition to organising union representation and speakers at community forums and conferences, the Labor Council has also had an active presence at community events. Over the past 12 months we have organised stalls at the following events:
Other ResponsibilitiesIn addition to supporting the above activities and campaigns, Naomi represented the Labor Council in 1998 on the following bodies:-
She has also undertaken a range of industrial and policy work dealing with the RTA, public sector, and the food industry. Naomi coordinated the Women's Committee which meets on a quarterly basis and oversaw projects such as the Flexible Work Practices project. Finally, Naomi organised the NSW Labor Council's Annual Women's Dinner at which 140 women working in NSW trade unions attended. Gail Gregory - Executive Officer
In addition to the above, Gail Gregory, had carriage of the Pay Equity Inquiry, which ran from January to May, review of the Personal/Carers Leave Test Case, which considered Bereavement Leave, and the s19 Award Review Principles, State Case. The Pay Equity Inquiry represents the biggest case of its kind in 30 years and is another step in the `equal pay' process. The Report, comprised of three volumes, is currently with the Minister for Industrial Relations. Negotiations and DisputesAdditionally, Gail was also involved in a number of negotiations and disputes, including:-
Matters for 1999In 1999 Gail will have carriage of a number of matters before the Industrial Relations Commission. In particular the following matters will be pursued:- Paid Maternity LeaveA case will be run to deal with the introduction of paid maternity leave into key private sector areas. This is an important case, particularly having regard to balancing work and family issues. Unfortunately, this was not done in 1998 due to other work commitments. Employment SecurityA State case which will focus on matters at the heart of job security which the Labor Council believes to be deliverable as conditions in industrial instruments. It will consider matters relating to the maintenance of employment rather than redundancy entitlements. This will build upon certain matters raised following the s19 Principles State Case and the Pay Equity Inquiry. State Wage CaseIn addition to the usual matters raised and addressed in State Wage Cases, certain matters raised as a result of the s19 Principle State Case and, undoubtedly the Pay Equity Inquiry, will also have to be considered. Other ResponsibilitiesGail has also been a speaker at a number of conferences this year in the public and private sectors and has conducted industrial relations education sessions with the Anti Discrimination Board. Gail was successful in being selected, along with Tim Harcourt of the ACTU, to attend the Harvard Trade Union Program in 1999 which runs from January to March. Gail also participates on a number of committees and external organisations including:-
Chris Christodoulou - Senior Industrial Officer
He joined Labor Council in September 1998 as the Senior Industrial Officer. Chris will have responsibility for the 1999 State Wage Case and will help co-ordinate a New South Wales strategy to combat the increasing growth of precarious employment. Job Security CampaignThe rapid growth of precarious employment, through the use of casuals, labour hire firms and subcontracting out, is having a detrimental impact on workers' living standards. Chris will be involved in the Campaign and Organising Committee which will have as one of its priorities in 1999 a recruitment campaign centered around the issues of job security and precarious employment. OlympicsChris' main work since coming to Labor Council has been to co-ordinate negotiations with the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) for an Award which will cover the expected 50,000, paid workforce at the Year 2000 Olympic Games. The negotiations over the last six months have been intense. The result is a consent award being made by the President of the NSW Industrial Commission The award is both historic and unique. It overrides some 30 other industrial instruments and provides priority of employment to employees who currently work at venues which will be utilised for the Games. As one would expect, the award contains a number of flexible working arrangements including provisions for 12 hour shifts and the flexible use of paid crib break arrangements, which are necessary for an event of this nature. However, these arrangements are matched by the best event rates of pay regime in the country with penalty rates still applying for late night work and weekends. Other notable features of the award include the minimal application of junior rates, that is; there will only be a single junior rate for hospitality employees under the age of 18. There will also be free transport along special Olympic routes, refreshments at no cost and an attendance bonus of $1.50 per hour for all persons covered by the Award The award also acknowledges the important role that unions will play in dispute resolution during the Games by the creation of a special disputes committee, which will attempt to resolve matters immediately. In addition the award places an obligation on employers not to unreasonably withhold consent to requests by unions as to arrangements for the collection of union fees. In addition Chris has assisted public sector affiliates and the Premier's Department to secure a set of guidelines for public sector employees to participate in the Olympic Games Volunteers Program. For each ten days a public servant volunteers, they shall receive five days special paid leave. Chris has also been working on a range of other Olympic related issues, including recruitment strategies, the interface between volunteers and the paid workforce, and labour hire issues. Whilst the making of the Olympic award is a major achievement it will need to be backed up by an innovative and well resourced campaign to recruit the tens of thousands of workers who will be covered by the award. The year 2000 Games provides the union movement with a unique opportunity to develop and test a range of recruitment initiatives in what will obviously be a very transient workforce. It will provide us with an opportunity to promote our wares to thousands of young workers, some of whom will have never experienced unionism and working conditions before. Other ResponsibilitiesChris has also worked with a number of affiliates in areas such as the Botanic Gardens (Market testing) and at the Royal Agricultural Society where Labor Council was successful in establishing a protocol on the use of contract labour. Ernie Razborsek - Industrial Officer
Newcastle Trades HallThe most significant occurrence this year, as reported last year, was the agreement between the Labor Council of NSW and the Newcastle Trades Hall Council to integrate the offices of both Councils, following more than a decade of negotiations. This meant that after nine years of dependable service, Fran Davis took voluntary redundancy from Labor Council and secretarial assistance is now being offered by the Newcastle Trades Hall Council. Ernie moved into the Trades Hall in February this year and reports to both Councils in relation to his duties. With the Labor Council having an office in Newcastle for over 15 years now, moving the office involved a substantial number of documents, which would have future historical interest for the trade union movement, being archived at the University of Newcastle. BHP - Common Purpose GroupThe Common Purpose Group set up to combat BHP job losses last year, continued successfully this year. The Common Purpose Group aims to combine the resources of all the major players in the region to create new economic opportunities. As the initial convenor of the Common Purpose Group, Ernie, in conjunction with other participants, made submissions in response to State and Commonwealth Upper House inquiries into employment, unemployment and regional development. The Group has been a useful vehicle to demonstrate a united regional front on these issues and has had intra and interstate inquiries on its operation. The Group will wind down in 1999 following the completion of the set tasks. Federal ElectionAnother obvious highlight in 1998 was the Federal Election; although Labor was unsuccessful, significant gains were made. The seat of Paterson, based in Maitland in the Hunter, saw the return of Labor's Bob Horne after his defeat in 1996. Ernie reports that almost every union with officials in the region lent their support to the campaign, with some, including the Newcastle Trades Hall Council, contributing considerable resources to the Campaign. Industrial Agreements1998 was also a busy year on the industrial front, with a number of agreements being negotiated for a variety of major construction projects. The Tomago Aluminium Smelter expansion was completed in November with a firm prospect of a 4th potline being built in 2000. This project would employ approximately 1500 people in the construction phase, costing up to $900 million, and would create around 200 permanent direct jobs. Capral Aluminium is considering a similar exercise, which would also be beneficial for the region. Both projects are dependent on closing power contracts and Tomago has sort the assistance of Labor Council to bring negotiations to fruition. Peabody Resources struck an agreement with construction unions, through Labor Council, for a new Agreement to see the company through the construction of its new Bengalla mine and expansion of their Warkworth Mine operations. This is the first time in some years where the unions have negotiated a new agreement with workers already on site. This allowed full consultation with the membership to its final outcome. Construction unions have generally negotiated with these agreements prior to work starting on the site in order to maximise wages and conditions from day one on the job for members. Since the Coalition Government's attacks on unions, through their industrial legislation introduced in 1992, some employers have discouraged workers from joining unions. Construction unions in this region will attempt to put strategic incentives in place in the new year to enhance union membership. This year, Ernie has also assisted individual unions in a number of areas. For example, Ernie assisted the ETU with negotiations for a regional Enterprise Agreement with the Electrical Contractors Association, for members with some of the major contractors operating there. Hunter Water Corp. Employees Assoc.With the unfortunate passing away of Barry Tobin, General Secretary of the Hunter Water Corporation Employees' Association (HWCEA) early in the year, Ernie has been providing assistance to the new Secretary and President, Rodd Williams, with a number of important issues. The HWCEA has now totally integrated its wages and salaried divisions into one structure and with the assistance of Labor Council is negotiating an amalgamation with the ASU (Services) Branch, which should come to fruition in 1999. Assistance is also being lent to negotiate a new EBA for the Corporation, which delivers wage increases over the next 3 years, bringing some 15 awards and agreements into one document. Negotiations will continue in the new year for a new classification structure for over 200 members. The pro-active approach taken by the Association has led some workers, who were not previously members of the Union, to join. The Corporation this year also formed a new wholly owned subsidiary, Hunter Water Australia, taking some 80 former employees across. The Association negotiated the transfer, and, in the new year, will develop a new Enterprise Agreement for those members. Other ResponsibilitiesErnie is also providing assistance to the Musician's Union which is rebuilding itself into a viable representative for musicians in the region. Additionally, responsibility for Macquarie Generation has been handed to Ernie with the reorganisation of responsibilities within the Labor Council. Michael Gadiel - Executive Assistant (Industrial)
SRA EBANegotiations for the State Rail Authority Enterprise Agreement started last June and have extended over the last seven months. Sticking points included the number of public holidays able to be accrued and salary maintenance. The final outcome gives members a 3% increase over the next twelve months. Murrumbidgee IrrigationMichael has also been involved in extensive negotiations with the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Authority on a new award to underpin the wages and conditions of employees prior to transfer from the NSW public sector to local ownership. This has involved identifying current public sector entitlements and translating them into a new award. The award was made on Friday, 18 December and includes five years employment protection as well as Premier's Memorandum standard voluntary redundancy provisions. Education and TrainingAlongside his industrial responsibilities, Michael has continued to represent the Labor Council in the area of Vocational Education and Training policy. This has involved providing union input into a range of committees and working parties, including the DET New Apprenticeships Reference Group, the Australian Railway Training Accreditation Council, the Board of Vocational Education and Training - Industry Liaison Sub-Committee, Board of Studies - VET Advisory Committee, Vocational Education Assessment Centre Advisory Committee, the Property Services ITAB Board and the Macarthur Group Training Company Advisory Committee. Michael, along with Mark Lennon, also participated in the judging panel for the Trainee and Apprentice Of The Year Awards. Michael has been particularly active in the implementation of School Based Traineeships. He negotiated with NSW employers an agreed set of model provisions for the implementation of part-time and school-based traineeships in the NSW industrial jurisdiction; the NSW Clerical (State) Training Wage Award was used as the model. These provisions have been adopted in a range of awards, including the Retail and Crown Employees Training Wage Awards. Despite this, there are still many areas where these provisions have not been adopted. A challenge for 1999 will be to ensure that provisions for part-time and school-based traineeships are extended into a broader range of NSW awards, otherwise employers will be encouraged to bypass our industrial standards and employ trainees under Australian Workplace Agreements. Youth AffairsYouth Affairs has been a particularly active portfolio this year with the announcement of the AIRC Inquiry into junior rates. Michael was responsible for drafting the Labor Council's submission to the inquiry which may be found on the Internet at http://www.labor.net.au/lcnsw/papers/junior.html. The Labor Council's position is that Junior rates are discriminatory and an historical anachronism. The submission highlights the fact that junior rates arose by applying the same logic that justified the payment of lower wages to women. The submission calls for Junior Rates to be phased out and replaced with non-discriminatory alternatives, such as competency-based classification systems which pay according to skill level, rather than age. Furthermore the Labor Council called for the full adult rate to be paid to all eighteen year olds. The Labor Council will be active in campaigning against junior rates throughout the inquiry, early in the new year. InternetFinally, Michael has continued to maintain responsibility for information technology and the Internet. As you will see, this years annual report is now being published electronically. This represents an ongoing policy in the Labor Council, and elsewhere, to shift from a print then distribute, to a distribute then print, pathway. LaborNET is set to have a range of new content areas including: OHSNET
Workers Online
LHMU
The concept of http://www.labor.net.au/ is to promote the clustering of union information at a key gateway point of the Internet. The Labor Council, through LaborNET, is committed to providing unions with the opportunity to establish a functional, cost effective, Internet presence, with a range of state of the art infrastructure. If unions are to continue to survive in an ever more hostile environment, then we must embrace new technologies, like the Internet and Email, to ensure that we are communicating with our members in the most effective way possible. Mary Yaager - Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation Officer
Workplace Injury Management and Workers' Compensation ActOver the last 12 months, Mary has been extensively involved with the development of a new workers compensation scheme for NSW. In June 1997, the Government passed a new Act - the Workplace Injury Management and Workers' Compensation Act which was ground breaking for workers' compensation in NSW. Legislation had bipartisan support of the employers and the unions; this was achieved through the Interim Workers Compensation Advisory Council which was established by the Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Jeff Shaw, QC MLC. The Minister requested that the Interim Council review the Grellman Report, released in September 1997, and make recommendations with regard to its implementation. The Grellman Report incorporated a number of views put forward by Labor Council in its submission to the Inquiry. Mary coordinated the response of Labor Council representatives on the Interim Council and ensured that the Labor Council's Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation Committee were actively involved in this process. Ultimately, their recommendations were adopted by the Interim Council. Together with the Labor Council representatives, Mary, was able to gain bipartisan support for their recommendations for the new Workers Compensation Scheme which commenced in August 1998. The new law - the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act, provides a range of positive improvements for unions and their members, including greater input from unions into occupational health and safety and workers compensation policy making via the newly established industry reference groups. The new Act allows for the following:
These groups will report to the Advisory Council and will be responsible for making recommendations on industry specific strategies for prevention, return to work, education and the development of practical guidance materials. The 13 groups are Rural, Construction, Mining, Industrial Manufacturing, Consumer manufacturing, Wholesale, Retail, Transport and Storage, Consumer Services, Government Administration & Education, Health & Community Services, Business Services , Utilities. In conjunction with the Labor Council's Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation Committee, Labor Council will make recommendations to WCAC in terms of its occupational health and safety and workers compensation policies. The Committee will also oversee the new Industry Reference Groups to ensure that they are focused and achieve the necessary outcomes. Labor Council will be participating directly in a number of these industry groups. Mary has conducted a number of in-house briefings for unions on the new changes to workers compensation and is currently developing an information pamphlet for unions to distribute to their members about the new changes to workers compensation. This pamphlet will have a blank section which will allow unions to badge the pamphlet and provide their own contact details. TrainingAuthorised OfficersMary's responsibilities in the area of training have continued. WorkCover and Labor Council have continued to conduct the Authorised Officers Course. These courses are mirrored on the WorkCover Inspectors Training Manual and provide union officers with the necessary skills and knowledge regarding occupational health and safety and in particular their Right of Entry powers. The feedback on these courses has been extremely positive. They have been well attended and unions have now requested that Labor Council conduct these courses in-house. Adam Lincoln from the CFMEU Forestry Division stated "The course was the best occupational health and safety course I have attended and it has given me the confidence as an Occupational Health and Safety Officer to be extremely effective in the workplace .." Similarly, John Cumberland from the Police Association has also achieved a great deal for his members in raising the safety standards, John attributes this to the Labor Council course. Workers Compensation Kit for DelegatesIn consultation with WorkCover, Labor Council is developing a Workers Compensation Training Package for union delegates. This kit will provide delegates with essential information to assist them in their day-to-day activities, particularly in the areas associated with disputes and return to work issues. Labor Council Workers Compensation and OH&S CommitteeMary has continued to convene, co-ordinate and assist the Labor Council's Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation Committee. Through this committee, Mary has prepared the following:
YouthSafe CommitteeMary has continued to provide support for the YouthSafe Committee. She has been developing, in association with the Committee, an Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Kit for high schools. Labor Council, members of the YouthSafe Committee, Bleeding Heart Media and the NSW Teachers Federation have conducted a number of focus group activities with a diverse range of high schools. These focus groups involved teachers, careers advisers and students from years 9 to 12. The feedback from the high schools was extremely positive and the teachers indicated that material on the subject of occupational health and safety is long overdue. InternetMary has assisted Labor Council's Executive Assistant, Michael Gadiel, in the establishment of an Occupational Health and Safety Internet Site, OHSNet. As part of a WorkCover grant project, Labor Council has established our own customised Occupational Health and Safety Internet Site to sit alongside the Labor Council's existing site. The Labor Council has coordinated research into the content and design of the site through the YouthSafe Committee and our affiliated unions. This work includes the presentation and overall style of the site, the content and the links to other related sites on the Internet (including WorkCover). The site is to be located at the address: http://ohs.labor.net.au/ It will consist of three main areas:
The main features of the site will be the links, the Questions & Answers (Q&A) and the two additional content areas for general news, information and announcements. The site has a number of links to other occupational health and safety sites, in particular the WorkCover website. Labor Council testing of the site during focus group discussions has received positive feed back. The information on this site will include safety alerts, research papers, submissions for comment on government legislation and regulation, Labor Council's Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation policies, etc. Other ResponsibilitiesMary also represents Labor Council on the following peak bodies:
Peter Lewis - Media Officer
Campaigns / ResponsibilitiesPeter's brief is to raise the public profile of the Labor Council and affiliates by generating and placing positive stories in the mainstream media. He will also have responsibility for generating broader issues to co-ordinate into movement-wide recruitment campaigns. In his time at the Labor Council, Peter has been handling media issues, including electronic surveillance in the workplace, the post-election Labor policy rethink and the Currawong debate, as well individual cases of unions protecting the interests of their members. "While there is a perception that industrial relations is dead as a media issue, people are still telling researchers that job security is their key concern," Peter says. "That means there are tremendous opportunities for trade unions to run their issues publicly, providing they can focus on the people they represent, rather than the legal and industrial processes they use." Peter also co-ordinated Labor Council's "Don't Be a Mug" campaign which targeted potential blue-collar One Nation voters in the October federal election campaign and produced a series of fliers and radio advertisements on that theme. Workers OnlineIn 1999 Peter's major challenge will be the creation of " Workers Online". The weekly Internet newspaper is the first of its kind in Australia and possibly the world. It will feature weekly industrial news, features, interviews and columns, including Piers-Watch, a response to Sydney's most loathed right-wing columnist. The impetus for the project has been the exponential rise in Internet use amon |
