Meeting held : 09 November 2006
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 9TH NOVEMBER 2006
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:03 PM
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
M. Thistlethwaite, A. Peters (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. P. Reid seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing:- D. Karlsson in place of J. Owen.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. V. Higgins seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - L. Hankinson, C. Haigh, M. Want, B. Kruse, J. Diamond, C. Christodoulou, R. Coombs, N. Lewocki.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Stuart seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Maritime Union of Australia, Sydney Branch: advising Unions NSW that the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has called for an International Day of Action against the Korean Government on Wednesday, 15th November 2006. The Union said that the purpose of the day of protest was to condemn Korean Government repression against Trade Union Rights in South Korea. They said that the Korean Government has actively encouraged the destruction of Korean Trade Unions, having passed repressive legislation outlawing trade union activity, have violently moved on peaceful demonstrations in support of worker and trade union rights and incarcerated and beaten trade union leaders and activists. The Union requested the endorsement of Unions NSW for the International Day of Action peaceful demonstration at the Korean Consulate on Wednesday 15th November at 12 Noon.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the International Day of Action against the Korean Government's continued repression of trade unions.
Further, Unions NSW support the rally on November 15th and advise affiliates for their information and support."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:- advising Unions NSW that a number of interested employees within the State seats of Hawkesbury, Londonderry and Riverstone had decided to hold an information evening to consider forming a support group for the "Your Rights At Work" campaign. The Union advised that they would assist with the meeting arrangements and requested that Unions NSW and its affiliates support the meeting. The Union said that the meeting would be held on Friday, December 1 in the Tebbutt Room, Derrubbin Centre, Macquarie Street, Windsor (opposite Hawkesbury Hospital) from 7.30 to 9.00p.m.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and details of the meeting to consider a new "Rights At Work" support group in North-Western Sydney be circulated to affiliates for their information and support."
Com. M. Stuart seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Rail Tram and Bus Union, NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW that when the NSW Government announced that State Owned Corporations would be directed to ignore the Federal Government's WorkChoices Legislation and that they would be required to abide by awards, agreements and decisions of industrial tribunals, RTBU members felt that RailCorp's management experimentation with the new industrial relations and human resource strategies would be gone - at least until after the State Elections in 2007. How the excitement of our Members (and some of our officials) was short lived in RailCorp. The Union said that this week after negotiations over changed working for train crews it was agreed that the final agreed position would be reflected in a Memorandum of Understanding. However within 24 hours the union were advised by management that a RailCorp Executive position had been made that RailCorp would not enter into any further MOU's with the RTBU and that the outcome would be reflected in correspondence between them. The Union said that this in a normal industrial environment may seem fine however they had to remind management last week when they tabled correspondence over an agreed position in 2001, we were advised that the person who signed the correspondence was not authorised to commit RailCorp to that position. The Union said that every decision handed down by industrial tribunals in favour of the RTBU had been appealed. They said that John Howard should use RailCorp management's example of how to wield power under WorkChoices even through the Premier of NSW says it shouldn't happen.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW again calls on the State Government to ensure that RailCorp and other State Owned Corporations abide by the State Government's policies on industrial relations."
Com. P. Kessey seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW Branch:-advising Unions NSW about a protest rally which is being held in support of Philippine trade unionists. The Union advised that there would be two rallies on the 16th November with the first rally commencing at 12.30p.m at the Philippine Consulate which is located at the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Goulburn Street, Sydney. The second rally is at Town Hall Square commencing at 4.30p.m. The Union said that the rallies were being held as part of a Global day of Action to commemorate the second anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita massacre and were supported by the Philippine Australia Union Link among other community organisation. They said that Filipino workers were fighting for an increase in their daily minimum wage, job security and basic trade union rights to bargain collectively and not be assassination targets. The Union requested a representative of Unions NSW speak at one of the rallies as an indication of our solidarity with Philippine trade unionists.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the protest rallies to be held on November 16 on behalf of Philippine trade unionists as requested.
Further, details of the rallies be forwarded to affiliates for their information and support."
Com. P. Bastian seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch: - regarding the latest interest rate rise and condemning the Prime Minister's statement that Labor's Industrial Relations policy would only make things worse. The Union said that at the Prime Minister's press conference on 7th November he said that Labor's policy focus on collective bargaining would only exert upward pressure on interest rates because of higher wages outcomes. The Union said that this was absurd when in June the Prime Minister said that the Opposition's decision to abolish AWAs was putting at risk high living standards and higher wages! They said that the Opposition Leader's response had been appropriate when he pointed out that collective bargaining was the best way to improved productivity which in turn ensures that inflation and consequently interest rates remain under control, whilst delivering higher wages to workers. The Union said that it was just outrageous spin by the Prime Minister trying to turn the focus onto Labor's Industrial Relations Policy when the real reason for our problems with interest rates was the failure of the Prime Minister to address the key issues facing the nation which are the skills shortage and our infrastructure. They said that the electorate was tired of the Prime Minister's spin and were looking to send him at next year's election the same as the voters of America had this week sent to George Bush's Republicans.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn the Prime Minister's attempts to turn the interest rate spotlight away from his Government's failure to invest in skills and infrastructure."
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW of a dispute involving 52 members of their union who are employees of Trafalgar Building Products, Villawood. The union advised that these workers had been on strike and maintaining a picket line at Trafalgar since 23rd October. They said that the strike followed from months of unsuccessful negotiations for a new EBA after the current EBA expired in March 2006. The union advised that despite all attempts by them to negotiate a new agreement, the employer refused to negotiate around two principle issues: security of entitlements and incorporation of Award provisions into the new agreement. They said that the employer's true motivation for procrastination is now clear: yesterday the company announced that it was considering the closure of a section of the business, which coincidently, is the unionised section of the business. The union said that Trafalgar's management strategy had been exposed as they seek to use the Federal Government's new industrial relations legislation to orchestrate a restructure, which will see the termination of 52 unionised workers. They said that the workers at Trafalgar had previously been given good moral support by members of other unions and that in view of the new circumstances, the AMWU was seeking financial support for the workers' families as they struggle against both their employer and the Federal Government in an effort to retain their jobs and the financial security of their families. The union advised that two delegates from Trafalgar would be attending the Unions NSW meeting tonight and asked that they be given the opportunity to address delegates.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the AMWU members at Trafalgar Building Products in their attempts to retain job security and negotiate a new EBA and seek that affiliates do the same.
Further, that the delegates be invited to address the meeting."
Com. P. Bastian seconded.
Jason Robinson a delegate at Trafalgar addressed the meeting.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Bike Ride
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson reported that a "Rights At Work" team of riders had successfully completed the Sydney to Wollongong bike ride on the weekend. He said that they were to be congratulated for their efforts.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Union Summer Program 2007
Unions are invited to take interns for Union Summer Program 2007. Dates: Monday January 29th to Friday, February 16th.
3 days of training and 12 days with a Union.
For further information contact: Daniel Kildea at Unions NSW
On (02) 9264 1691 or dkildea@unionsnsw.org.au
2. Asbestos Awareness Week
This year's Asbestos Awareness Week will be from the 20th - 24th November 2006. ADFA is arranging a number of events that week.
Monday 20th November - Launch of ADFA's Safe Roof Campaign
10.30a.m. - 11.30a.m. at 203 Hoxton Park Road, Cartwright.
Remembrance Day will be held at 11.a.m on Friday 24th November in the Terrace Room, National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. For further information about all the events taking place during the week please contact ADFA on (02) 9637 8759 or email info@adfa.org.au.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 25PM
President: _____________________________
About Unions NSW
