Meeting held : 31 May 2007
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 31ST MAY 2007
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.07 PM
The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson occupied the chair.
PRESENT J. Robertson (Secretary), M. Lennon (Assistant Secretary),
C. Christodoulou, (Deputy Assistant Secretary).
OPENING OF The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson opened the meeting
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. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Public Service Association of New South Wales appointing: S. Turner in place of S. Walsh.
From The New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union appointing: J. Agius in place of V. Higgins, J. Knight in place of P. Reid and S. McNamara in place of L. Fraser.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed."
Com. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for:- M. O'Halloran, S. Price, C. Haigh, A. Ferguson, C. O'Sheades, M. Thistlethwaite, A. Peters, S. Moait.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted."
Com. R. Mallia seconded.
CARRIED
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
Com. Robertson said that it was with much sadness that he had to advise that former State Secretary, of HREA, Ray Cook, passed away at a retirement village on the Central Coast last Friday, 25 May. He said Ray came to work for the Health & Research Employees Association (HREA) (as it was known then) from his job as a boiler attendant at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and served as State Secretary until November 1986, when he went on to be a Commissioner in the Workers Compensation Commission. Com. Robertson said that in his retirement Ray spent many a day relaxing with his wife on the South Coast at Mollymook, and playing golf. Ray is survived by his wife to whom, on behalf of Unions NSW, Com. Robertson extended condolences.
Com. P. Mylan also spoke to the motion.
Delegates observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Minister for Industrial Relations:- inviting Unions NSW to nominate a representative to the Permanent Board of the Asbestos Diseases Research Foundation. The Minister said the Foundation was established in 2006 to promote, sponsor and facilitate research into asbestos and other dust-related diseases and to develop and operate a new Asbestos Diseases Research Institute at Concord Hospital campus. He said it is a charitable foundation established as a company limited by guarantee and is currently governed by an Initial Board comprising members of the Workers' Compensation Dust Diseases Board. He said this Board will soon be replaced by a Permanent Board of the Foundation, to be chaired by the Hon. (Bob) Robert Carr. The Minister said he is now in the process of establishing the Permanent Board which will include a nominee from Unions NSW. He said appointments are for three (3) years and are not remunerated except for reasonable expenses associated with the role. He requested Unions NSW to provide details of its nominee to the Permanent Foundation Board.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW liaise with relevant affiliates regarding a nominee to the Board of the Asbestos Diseases Research Foundation."
Com. R. Mallia seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From Combined Union Retired Members:- condemning the attacks by way of legal action being carried out against the union movement, in particular the CFMEU and its General Secretary, Andrew Ferguson. At their meeting on 15 May the Retired Union Members expressed full support for the CFMEU and its Secretary and called on the full union movement to rally in support of them. The Members said this attempt to cripple the union movement by the use of national laws transgresses the globally recognised rights of workers and their unions. The Members said they were concerned that if the Federal government succeeds in this instance then they will spread these actions to other Unions.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW offer its support to the CFMEU and other Unions in their opposition to companies seeking to avoid their OH&S obligations by moving to ComCare.
Further, Unions NSW condemns attempts to silence the CFMEU on this issue through the threat of legal action."
Com. N. Allen seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From The Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch:- regarding superannuation for public sector workers. The Union said for some time public sector unions have been seeking an increase in the level of contribution by the State Government to the superannuation accounts of members. The union said it is widely recognised that the present 9% contribution to employees is not sufficient to ensure a comfortable retirement and that 15% is a more appropriate amount, but despite the continued representations of unions the Government has refused to move. The Unions said that given a new round of public sector wage negotiations is to start next year the ETU feel it is appropriate for public sector unions to meet to determine if the superannuation claim should be part of that campaign, and asked Unions NSW to convene a meeting of unions across the public sector to consider the matter.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW convene a meeting with Public Sector Unions to consider the question of the level of superannuation contributions as requested."
Com. W. Tomlins seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:- regarding the Bill now before parliament to amend the WorkChoices legislation to implement the Fairness Test. The Union stated that the problem with the proposed Bill is that the "fairness" is missing. The Union said in addition, thousands who are already on AWAs are not protected by the test and the legislation fails to guarantee that those who are pressured to forgo conditions like overtime, penalty rates and shift allowances will be fully compensated. The Union went on to say that the Bill has provisions which mean that if an employee's availability to work is restricted due to family responsibilities, they may be deemed to have no entitlement to penalty rates or shift allowances for working weekends or evenings. The Union called on Unions NSW to condemn the Bill before Parliament.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemn the proposed fairness test contained in legislation presently before Parliament.
In particular, Unions NSW notes with concern the lack of protection under the test for workers with family responsibilities."
Com. M. Want seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the. New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union; Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers; CFMEU Mining and Energy Division; and Public Service Association of New South Wales:- regarding the privatisation of electricity assets in NSW. The Unions referred to the recently announced Owen Inquiry into the supply of electricity in NSW and the wide perception that this inquiry may lead to the private ownership of electricity resources in NSW. The Unions are concerned that privatisation of the retail sector of the electricity industry or any other part of the industry will lead to job losses, less reliable energy supply, poorer service to customers and higher profits for business owners.
The USU said it had been widely reported that the Government is considering partial privatisation as a mechanism to secure funding for building additional coal power stations in NSW. They are concerned that job losses will occur in call centres, billing and administration jobs in largely female dominated work areas. The USU said some of these workplaces are located in outer metropolitan and regional areas where secure employment within State owned corporations forms part of the backbone of the local community. They said many workplaces are in marginal federal electorates and the privatisation issue by the State Government is sending mixed messages to the electorate and diluting the Your Rights @ Work campaign. The Union also said that privatisation will diminish the NSW Government's opportunity to implement a wholesale response to climate change concerns.
APESMA said the privatisation of the retail sector of the electricity industry or any other part of the industry will lead to job losses, less reliable energy supply, poorer service to customers and higher profits for business owners.
The PSA said the ALP won the election in 1999 on an absolute guarantee that there would be no privatisation of electricity assets and nothing has changed by 2007 which would allow the reneging of that commitment.
The CFMEU said as per its 1997 position the CFMEU Energy District opposes the sale of publicly owned electricity assets.
The Unions called on Unions NSW, in conjunction with the electricity unions, to develop and implement a campaign to oppose any privatisation of electricity assets in NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW express its concern about the potential impacts of privatisation on electricity prices for consumers, and job losses in New South Wales.
This meeting notes that electricity is an essential service that must remain under public ownership and regulation. Partial privatisation, such as the sale of the retail arm of the distributors is unacceptable.
Further, Unions NSW, in conjunction with the electricity unions, support and develop a campaign of opposition to any moves by the New South Wales Government to privatise the electricity industry in this State.
In addition, Unions NSW arrange a State Labor Advisory Committee meeting as a matter of urgency."
Com. B. Kruse seconded the resolution and spoke. Joanne Knight, a USU member in an Energy Australia call centre spoke.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Campaign Report
Friday 25th May 2007 - John Howard luncheon in Bathurst
Com. Robertson said he would like to thank all those affiliates who supported the gathering last Friday focused on the Prime Ministers visit to Bathurst as part of the Your Rights @ Work campaign in the targeted seat of Macquarie. He said the gathering was very successful with around 200 locals voicing their opposition to Mr Howard as he dined with guests at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He said that the gathering made headlines in the local news and was an effective campaign activity.
Com.J. Robertson moved
"That the report be received and noted"
Com. R. Mallia seconded
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The Industrial Relations Society of NSW 2007 Annual Patrons Lunch
Guest Speaker Craig Reucassel (The Chaser's War on Everything)
Friday 29 June 2007
12.30 pm for 1.00 pm start
The American Club, Level 15, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney
$65 for members, $85 for non-members, $30 for students, $850 for a table of 10
RSVP bookings must be made by 26 June.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.33 PM
Acting President: _____________________
About Unions NSW
