Meeting held : 10 April 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 10TH APRIL 2008
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:06PM
The Acting President Com. B. Johnson occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
C. Christodoulou, A. Tattersall (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. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Public Service Association of New South Wales appointing: - S. Hameed and D. Faddoul as delegates for to-nights meeting.
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch appointing:- G. Hillier in place of P. Farrow, S. Crawford in place of N. Allen and L. Heaney in place of R. Collison.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. P. Bastian seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, A. Kerslake, A. Ferguson, J. Kiejda, M. Thistlethwaite, M. Want.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. From Blacktown City Council: - advising Unions NSW that at its Ordinary Meeting on 27th February 2008, Council resolved to sign the Community Endorsed - Fair Employer Declaration and commit to the Fair employer Scheme.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Blacktown City Council be congratulated on its commitment to fair and responsible workplace relations and that the Council be declared a Fair Employer unless there is evidence provided that they do not comply with the criteria."
Com. S. Bali seconded.
Com. M. Wilson spoke against the motion.
Com. S. Bali spoke in favour of the motion.
CARRIED
2. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, New South Wales Branch: - advising Unions NSW that Sydney's Maori community had launched an appeal to build a Marae in Sydney. The Union said that a Marae is the cornerstone of Maori culture and represents a significant community initiative. They said that the estimated number of New Zealanders living in Australia was 400,000 and many are Maori and live in Sydney. The Union said that a large section of the Maori community were trade unionists who have been active in the fight for workers' rights in Australia. They requested Unions NSW circulate the Flyer regarding the Appeal to all affiliates for their information and support.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and details of the Maori Community's Appeal to build a Marae be circulated to affiliates for their information and support."
Com. S. Keenan seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Sydney May Day Committee: - informing Unions NSW of the annual May Day events for 2008. The Committee advised that the May Day Toast would be held on Thursday May 1st at 6.30pm in Trades Hall. Tickets for the Toast were $30 and include food and drinks. Speakers on the night will be Charmaine O'Sheades - NSW Teachers Federation, John Robertson, Unions NSW, Simon Flynn, NSW Fire Brigade Employees' Union and Hannah Middleton from the Peace and Anti-Bases Campaign. Enquiries regarding the May Day Toast should be made to Amber McGowan on (02) 9265 8438. The Committee advised that the May Day Rally had been moved from Sunday 4th May to Saturday, 3rd May in order that the Rally could be held in conjunction with the Unions NSW Electricity Anti-Privatisation Rally being held outside the NSW ALP State Conference, Darling Harbour Convention Centre commencing at 9.30am. They said that owing to the nature of the area where the rally is being held, they have been asked that all tables be brought in by foot as there will be no vehicle access granted. Any groups wishing to bring in tables should contact Paul McAleer on 0417 468 424. The Committee said they were also calling for volunteers to be marshals for the rally and any one able to assist should also contact the committee. The Committee thanked all individuals, progressive political parties, community groups and trade unions who have affiliated to the Committee and said that this support was crucial in developing the events and activities associated with May Day. They called on all interested groups to affiliate to the Committee and said they would also accept any donations that could be made so that they could continue to build the struggle. The Committee said that 2007 had heralded a major victory for the working class of Australia and we need to build on these efforts to make sure that our messages receive the greatest possible attention, and that the principles we hold so important can be found and struggled for. The Committee requested that Unions NSW circulate the information regarding the May Day Toast and Rally to affiliated unions.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and details of the May Day activities be circulated to affiliates and that they be encouraged to support the May Day activities including the Rally and that they also be encouraged to affiliate to the May Day Committee."
Com. C. O'Sheades seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS):- seeking the support of Unions NSW in the promotion that support of Anti-Poverty Week which is being held from 12th to 18th October 2008. NCOSS said that Anti-Poverty Week was established in Australia as an expansion of the United Nation's annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17. They said that the aims of Anti-Poverty Week were to strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia; encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and government. The Council said that research by the Social Policy Research Centre commissioned by ACOSS indicated that in 2004, 1.9 million or 9.9% of Australian were living below the widely used "poverty line" of 50% of median disposable income. They said that this included 365,000 children and was an increase from 7.6% in 1994. These figures do not, however, give a sense of the daily experiences of people living in poverty. In "Left out and missing out: Voices from the margins", a survey of clients from three large human service NGO's showed that:
• 15% of clients did not have a substantial meal at least once a day
• 31% were unable to buy prescribed medicines
• 57% were unable to get dental treatment if needed
• 24% did not have heating in at least one room of their house
• 36% could not afford presents for family or friends at least once a year
• Of those with school aged children, 27% of children could not participate in school activities or excursions
The Council said that it should also be noted that while the majority of these people were dependent on some form of government benefit around 1 out of 5 was a wage or salary earner. They said that this snapshot was just unacceptable and calls for us all to make addressing poverty a priority issue for governments, business, unions and the community. Council would encourage Unions NSW and its affiliates who are interested in helping to reduce poverty and hardship to organise their own activities during the Week or to join in and support events being organised by others. This would also be an excellent opportunity for Your Rights At Work groups to get involved with their local community organizations. More information about Anti-Poverty Week and how the union movement can get involved is available on the website www.antipovertyweek.org.au and I would ask that you circulate these details and the promotional flyer to affiliates.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW offer its support to Anti-Poverty Week 2008 and that NCOSS Director, Ms Alison Peters be invited to address a Unions NSW meeting.
Further, Unions NSW circulate details of the event to affiliates and seek that they take an active role by organising relevant activities during the week."
Com. M. Thomson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Maternity Leave Debate
The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson informed delegates that the meeting would now move into a debate about maternity leave. To start the discussion he introduced Ms Katrina Dorrough, NSW Project Officer from the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Ms Dorrough spoke regarding the importance of breastfeeding and of the problems some women experience in the workplace. She said that breastfeeding was the biological norm for human infants and had been identified by a number of international conventions and agreements as a human right. This included the International Labour Organisation's maternity protection and recommendation. Ms Dorrough said that all international and national authorities support breastfeeding including the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) which reflect the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, with ongoing breastfeeding until 2 years and beyond with appropriate complimentary foods. She said that the length of breastfeeding can make a difference to the short and long term health outcomes for babies and their mothers. She also said that with looming skills shortages, a tight labour market, housing affordability and financial pressures meant that women's workforce participation would probably continue to increase. There was good evidence to suggest that maternal employment has been found to have a negative impact on breastfeeding duration. Generally, there is a lack of awareness amongst employers about the benefits to them of supporting women to continue breastfeeding. These include reduced absenteeism, increased staff morale/loyalty and improved rates of retention and recruitment. She said that for some time there has been a gap between public health recommendations and working conditions in Australia that present as a barrier to continued breastfeeding. Paid maternity leave will bring industrial legislation in line with public health recommendations and prevent women from prematurely weaning because they are returning to the paid workforce. Ms Dorrough said that the Australian Breastfeeding Association recommends a period of 6 months paid maternity leave for all mothers, regardless of their employment status, to ensure the establishment of breastfeeding and continuing exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months in line with the public health recommendations. She said employment conditions that support continued breastfeeding were still needed after paid maternity leave to assist mothers make the transition back into paid work. The Association has included these recommendations in their submission on the draft National Employment Standards.
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Com. A. Tattersall gave a presentation on paid maternity leave and primary carer leave. Com. Tattersall said that Australia and the United States were the only industrialised countries in the world not to have a system of paid maternity leave. She said that the previous Government had ignored campaigns and a HEROC report calling for paid maternity leave and welcomed the current Federal Government's Productivity Commission Inquiry.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson thanked Ms Dorrough and Com. Tattersall for their address and presentation.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and that Unions NSW believes that Australia should fall into line with OECD nations and embrace a policy of universal paid maternity/primary carer leave for all women and primary carers. The core elements Of this policy should include:
1. <.b>Time: whilst Unions NSW supports the International Labour Organisation's minimum standard of 14 weeks as a positive start, Unions NSW believes that a new system in Australia should provide families with a minimum of six months of paid support. Unions NSW argues that women need to breastfeed their babies for at least 6 months to maximise health outcomes;
2. Universality: that a base salary provided by the government should be paid to all women, irrespective of whether they are casual, full-time, contractors or stay at home mums;
3. Wage Replacement: that Unions NSW should investigate the feasibility of a system of full wage replacement for women. This may require developing a new system of portable maternity leave, similar to workers compensation or long service leave in the construction industry;
4. Primary Carer Leave: that the payments available to women should also be accessible to partners if they are acting as the primary carer of the child. "
Com. G. Dwyer seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Community Rally To Protest Privatisation of Electricity
Industry in NSW
Where: Outside Michael Costa's Office
26 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle
Friday, 18th April 2008 - 1.00pm
For further information contact Gary Kennedy, Secretary
Newcastle Trades Council on 4929 1162 or email gary@newtradeshall.com
2. "CLOSETHEGAP" Day Event
Tuesday, 22nd April 2008, 6.30pm
LHMU Auditorium, 187 Thomas Street, Haymarket
Two short documentaries will be shown. Further information on the documentaries is available at www.antar.org.au/liyarn.ngarn
Entry will be by note donation, with all proceeds going to the Lingiari Foundation. To RSVP or for further information contact Joseph Kennedy, LHMU National Office on 8204 3029 or josephk@lhmu.org.au.
3. The Centre for Policy Development Common Ground Event
Topic - Paid Maternity Leave
Wednesday, 23rd April 2008
5.30pm for 6.00pm sharp start (concluding 7.30pm)
Venue: Barnett Long Room, Customs House
31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay
RSVP by Friday 18th April 2008 to contact@cpd.org.au or
9264 0263.
4. International Day of Mourning Service
Monday, 28th April 2008 12.30pm
Reflection Park, Little Pier Street, Darling Harbour
(Opposite Sydney Entertainment Centre)
For further information contact Robyn Griffith on 9881 5999 or rgriffith@unionsnsw.org.au
5. Community Rally To Protest Against Privatisation of Electricity Industry in NSW
Saturday, 3rd May 2008 - 9.30a.m.
Outside the NSW ALP Conference
Darling Harbour Convention Centre
Further information is available at www.stoptheselloff.org.au
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6:54PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
