Meeting held : 07 August 1997
Chair of Meeting: The Vice President, Com. P. Ryan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 7TH AUGUST, 1997 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT CORNER GOULBURN AND SUSSEX STREETS, SYDNEY, AT 6.05 P.M.
PRESENT:- P. Sams (Secretary), M. Costa (Assistant Secretary),
M. Lennon (Executive Officer).
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. B. Plain seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
From The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction
and General Division, New South Wales Divisional Branch - appointing R.
McKay in place of C. Bates.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: J. Whelan, J. Merchant, G.
Donnelly, M. McTigue, J. Garrett, B. Schmidt.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:-
1. From the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations,
the Hon. Jeff Shaw, QC MLC - advising of the formation of the New South
Wales Industrial Relations Consultative Committee (the IRCC) as part of
the Government's broader commitment to ensuring that the major industrial
organisations in NSW meet regularly to review the operation of the NSW
industrial relations system and to discuss significant industrial matters.
The Minister requested Labor Council nominate representatives to participate.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and consultation be held
with affiliates to find appropriate representatives."
Com. M. Williams seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Minister for Police, the Hon. Paul Whelan, MP - concerning
Council's correspondence of April 29, 1997 regarding the Public Service
Association's rally against federal health cuts and a subsequent meeting
of the same, and advising of the outcome of advice sought on the matter.
The Prime Minister had been at his Sydney Office at the time of the rally
and, as was usual practice, was accompanied by the Close Personal Protection
Team, a member of which had spoken to the rally organisers to determine
whether protesters would attempt to gain entry to the Prime Minister's
office. The presence of the Close Personal Protection Team was unrelated
to the demonstration and the contact mentioned above was the only action
taken by police. Further, no notes or files were made by police officers
in relation to either the protest itself or members of the Public Service
Association.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a copy forwarded to
the PSA for information."
Com. J. Hennessy seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and
Administrative Branch - concerning workshops being conducted, by the
NSW Department of Industrial Relations, for employees in the clerical and
administrative sector. The Union was concerned that the Department was
providing information and services to clerical and administrative employees,
which was normally its domain. It requested discussions be held with a
view to considering an approach to the Minister seeking more information
on the situation and whether the Department should be providing such information
and services.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the request of the
Union be agreed to."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Teachers' Federation - expressing
appreciation of the support that Council had provided it in the campaign
to secure an educationally sound form of annual school reporting to parents.
It believed that Council's intervention was crucial in getting the Department
of School Education back to the negotiating table where the matter had
been resolved.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the Federation be congratulated
on a successful resolution of their recent dispute with the Department
of School Education."
Com. J. Hennessy seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Maritime Union of Australia - advising of a lecture
to be delivered by Bill Bolitho in the Whitlam Series of Lectures to be
held on Tuesday August 12, 1997 at the NSW Teachers' Federation Auditorium.
The Union requested an announcement be made to all affiliates and they
be advised that tickets were $5.00 each and could be purchased after the
meeting from NSW Assistant Branch Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia,
Barry Robson.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and details be circulated
to all affiliates."
Com. B. Robson seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. RETURNING OFFICER'S REPORT
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, reported that the Returning Officer had
informed Council that at the close of nominations, 4.00 p.m.Thursday, August
7, he had received the following nomination:
John Hennessy - Vice President
There being no other nominations, the Returning Officer declared John
Hennessy elected for the position of Vice President.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. S. Moait seconded.
CARRIED
2. ACTU EXECUTIVE MEETING
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, reported on the meeting of the ACTU Executive.
He said the meeting had covered a wide range of issues with particular
focus on a Wages and Industrial Conditions Resolution, which has been distributed
to affiliates. The ACTU remained committed to pursuing the Living Wage
Case and the maintenance of the award system. The Executive condemned the
attack by the ACCI and the Government through the allowable matters process.
The ACTU would continue its efforts to ensure that the Allowable Matters
Test Case was not used to undermine awards.
The Secretary also reported on the ACTU's proposed move to the Victorian
Trades Hall building by mid 1998. The move was designed to better utilise
the ACTU's resources.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. B. Hayden seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.35 P.M.
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