Meeting held : 10 July 1997
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 10TH JULY, 1997 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT CORNER GOULBURN AND SUSSEX STREETS, SYDNEY, AT 6.10 P.M.
PRESENT:- P. Sams (Secretary), M. Costa (Assistant Secretary).
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. T. McConville seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia - appointing
T. Woolgar in place of J. Owen.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: M. Lennon, P. Sullivan, M.
Want, B. Riordan,
B. Wooldridge, J. McCarthy, L. Poleson.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:-
1. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and
Administrative Branch - advising of a resolution passed at its recent
monthly meeting, in the following terms:
"This meeting notes with concern the increase in workplace violence
in recent times.
Workplace violence can be anything from behaviour that creates an
environment of fear up to actual physical assault.
A recent article in the Journal of Industrial Relations cites the
economic uncertainty of the 90's and the prevalence of downsizing as two
of the possible causes for this increased behaviour. It also suggests that
maybe workplace violence has existed for many years and is only coming
to the fore now. Injecting an atmosphere of fear into the workplace is
not the way to increase productivity from staff, nor is it a way to brow
beat people into bowing to unreasonable demands.
This meeting requests that some action be taken to make people aware
that there are non-violence alternatives that will bring about desired
results. Respect and the use of common-sense could probably head that list."
The Union requested Labor Council endorse the resolution.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council endorse
the ASU resolution and refer the issue to a meeting of affiliates."
Com. F. Hancock seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction
and General Division, New South Wales Divisional Branch - concerning
the introduction of new guidelines, to be applied by insurers when considering
commutations of future entitlements, by WorkCover, which rule out commutations
in cases where weekly payments are in dispute. It requested Labor Council
inform the Minister, the Hon. Jeff Shaw, QC MLC, of these developments
and request that WorkCover be instructed that all commutations, either
agreed between the parties, or at Court, which involve a dispute as to
weekly benefits, be considered under the former guidelines, not the new
guidelines.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council criticise
the lack of notice given in respect to the changes and representations
be made to the Minister as requested."
Com. P. McClelland seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services
Union - concerning an industrial dispute currently before the NSW Industrial
Commission where it was seeking to represent its members at the time of
privatisation of the Sydney Market Authority. The industrial dispute centred
around the continuation of employee entitlements at the time of privatisation,
in particular concerns over continuation of the Award and also employees'
loss of current access to the State Authorities Superannuation Scheme.
It was negotiating with the Sydney Market Authority and also the NSW Government
to secure the rights and entitlements of employees of the Sydney Market
Authority in the transition. It requested Labor Council's involvement and
direct participation in these negotiations.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council intervene
in this matter as requested by the MEU."
Com. J. Merchant seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Teachers' Federation - advising that
its recent Annual Conference of over 500 delegates unanimously rejected
the proposal from the NSW Treasurer to sell or privatise the electricity
industry in New South Wales. The Federation sought Council's assistance
in making representations to extend the closing time for submissions to
the Committee of Inquiry into the sale of electricity assets until 8 August,
1997. The Conference passed resolutions in the following terms:
"that the advertised time period for submissions to the Inquiry
was inadequate, considering the importance of the proposed plan of the
Treasurer laid before the NSW citizens. An overwhelming majority of citizens
in this State are probably unaware of the issues and in consequence both
the principles of consultation on a broad base and the freedom of choice
have been denied to a democratic society."
"We assert that essential services must be publicly owned and
controlled to ensure safe and equitable provision for all. It is short-sighted
to promote the sale of profitable public assets to top up funding for infrastructure,
education and health, for a short period of time prior to the Olympics.
As the Victorian experience shows, in the long term, the revenue base of
the State Government is actually reduced, thus undermining the funds available
for essential community services such as public education. Fundamental
reforms are required to ensure that public services can continue to maintain
a high standard of service delivery to all consumers.
Profit driven, privately operated companies controlling the electricity
supply in New South Wales will inevitably lead to massive job losses from
the industry."
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council seek
an extension of the closing time for submissions to the Committee of Inquiry
into the sale of Electricity Assets as requested by the Federation."
Com. B. Johnson seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Association of Retail Pharmacy Employees, New South Wales
- advising of its final absorption into the SDA which would henceforth
carry the full industrial responsibility for pharmacy staff in the State.
The Association thanked Labor Council for the help and guidance extended
unhesitatingly over the years and wished the Labor Council and all of its
affiliated unions the very best for the difficult times that lie ahead
for employees and their representatives.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council formally
disaffiliate the Association of Retail Pharmacy Employees (NSW) and endorse
its amalgamation with the SDA."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority - advising
of its role to plan, co-ordinate and deliver integrated roads and transport
services for the 2000 Olympics and Paralympic Games, related Test Events
and designated major events leading up to the Games. The development of
the Transport Strategy had commenced with a review of current planning
documents and interviews with a number of key stakeholders. This had identified
a number of key issues that it would need to address with strategies and
actions and a first draft of the Strategy was being developed. A Stakeholder
Workshop had been planned for Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17 and
it invited Labor Council to attend the Workshop.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council invite
representation from the transport unions to attend the workshop on its
behalf."
Com. P. Ryan seconded.
CARRIED
7. From the Minister for Gaming and Racing, the Hon. Richard Face,
MP - concerning the resolution which Labor Council had brought to the
Minister's attention regarding stricter controls being placed on New South
Wales registered charities. The Minister advised that the current law already
provided for a high degree of control and accountability and allowed members
of the public to make informed decisions on whether to support a particular
charity. The Minister therefore did not propose to amend the law at this
stage.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a copy forwarded to
the Australian Services Union, NSW Clerical and Administrative Branch who
raised this matter initially with the Labor Council."
Com. J. Bennett seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. STATE WAGE CASE
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, reported that the State Wage Case had
commenced yesterday with the taking of evidence from employer witnesses
and Labor Council had presented its case today. The employers would be
responding tomorrow and it appeared at this stage that the case would not
conclude in the allocated time.
In respect to the New South Wales Government's position, he expressed
disappointment that it was neither supporting or opposing the Labor Council's
submission for a Safety Net Adjustment in excess of $10.
A further report on the progress of the Case would be given at next
week's meeting.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. F. Belan seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. R. Collison seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.30 P.M.
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