Meeting held : 19 February 2009
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Com. M. Issanchon
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY, 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00 PM
The Acting President Com. M. Issanchon occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - M. Lennon, C. Christodoulou, A. Kerslake
OPENING
OF THE
MEETING: The Acting President, Com. M. Issanchon 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. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes of 19 February 2009 as circulated be received."
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes of 5th February 2009 as circulated be adopted."
Com. B. Parker seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 12 February 2009as circulated be received."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 12 February 2009 as circulated be adopted."
Com. P. Sinclair seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
For tonight's meeting
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia appointing: -
N. Flores in place of P. Lane.
From: The Public Service Association of NSW appointing:- S. Turner in place of S. Walsh, S. Little in place J. Cahill, S. McMahon for S. O'Brien, D. McCauley for R. Diamond.
For the ensuring year
From: Liquor , Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union - NSW Branch appointing:- B. Giblin, M. Boyd, M. Gatfield, j. Lloyd, R. Reilly, A. Sail, C. Griffith, M. Lam, D. Ogden.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed."
Com. D. Weizman seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, J. Diamond, C. O'Sheades, B. Holmes, S. McManus, B. Smith
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE:
Com G. Dwyer asked the Secretary if the State Government had gazetted an additional day's holiday for Boxing Day and whether Boxing Day itself which falls on a Saturday had also been declared a Public Holiday.
Com. M. Lennon responded by indicating at this stage the government had only agreed to an additional Public Holiday on the Monday.
Com. F. Barnes asked the Secretary if he was aware that the gay Mardi Gras was coming up soon and as always there would be a Trade Union float.
Com. M. Lennon responded by indicating that he was sure as always the Trade Union float at the Mardi Gras would be very prominent.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Harvard Law School:- advising Unions NSW that the Harvard Trade Union Program class of 2009 have forwarded a donation of U$640 for the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW thank the Harvard Trade Union Students for the donation."
Com. B. Riordan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Public Service Association of NSW & NSW Teachers Federation:- expressing to Union NSW their opposition to the outcome of the 2 review reports released by the Panel of Review into the proposed National OHS Laws.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW endorse the continuation of the campaign in association with the ACTU to oppose any reductions in OHS standards and loss of rights as a consequence of the National OHS harmonisation process."
Com. J. Lemaire seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Maritime Union of Australia - Sydney Branch: - advising Unions NSW of the victory over the Bass & Flinders Cruises that have been operating the Manly to Circular Quay fast ferry service.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulate the MUA on their victory to protect wages and conditions for employees of Bass & Flinders Cruises working on the Manly to Circular Quay route.
Further, we also congratulate all the unions and members of the public who participated in MUA community demonstrations."
Com. P. Garrett seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union:- regarding the Premier's announcement of the creation of 6,000 new apprenticeships.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulate the Ree's Government for its initiative in creating 6,000 new apprenticeships over the next 3 years and that we look forward to further action following the NSW Job Summit."
Com. R. Fortescue seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union: - requesting that a delegation from Unions NSW meet with the US Consulate regarding the ongoing detention and trial of the so call "Cuban 5".
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW to write to the US Consul requesting that the new Obama administration release the Cuban 5 as requested."
Com. C. Drane seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Australian Workers Union - Port Kembla Branch: - advising Unions NSW of the successful outcome in obtaining a Memorandum of Understanding with Bluescope Steel with respect to construction of the Number 5 Blast Furnace and Sinter Plant and thanking Unions NSW for their assistance.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Construction Unions on the South Coast be congratulated on achieving the MOU."
Com. R. Collison seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
7. From the Public Service Association of NSW: - urging the State Government to stop the privatisation push at Parklea and Cessnock gaols.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW calls upon the Government to enter into meaningful negotiations with the PSA on workplace reforms with a view to scrapping their privatisation proposals."
Com. S. Turner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
8. From the Australian Manufacturers Union: - outlining the loss of entitlements to employees when DriveTrain Systems (DSI) in Albury entered into voluntary receivership and administration on 16th February. The union called upon the government to review the GEER scheme with a view to ensuring 100% of workers entitlements were protected. The union also requested a complete review of corporation law to stop employers avoiding their obligations with respect to workers' entitlements.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW calls upon the Federal Government to establish a National Fund which secures 100% on workers entitlements.
Further, that we call upon the government to review corporate governance and federal corporations law to provide greater protection for workers entitlements."
Com. R. Fortescue seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
9. From the Rail Tram and Bus Union: - requesting a meeting of affiliated unions to consider a broad coordinated campaign to promote the establishment of the National Paid Parental Leave Scheme in the 2009 Federal Budget.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting of affiliates be convened as requested to consider the RTBU Paid Parental Leave Plan."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Fair Work Bill
Com. M. Lennon reported on the introduction of the Fair Work Bill into the Parliament and Unions NSW Submission to the Senate enquiry
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. B. Johnson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. Presentation of Paid Parental Leave Certificates:
Com. M. Lennon presented certificates for the winners of the Paid Parental Leave video competition. These were awarded to:
- FSU - NSW Branch
- RTBU - NSW Women's Campaign Committee
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 40PM
Acting President:____________________________________
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