Meeting held : 02 October 1997
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 2ND OCTOBER, 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. J. O'Brien seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. K. Boyd seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For tonight's meeting:
From The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction and
General Division, New South Wales Divisional Branch - appointing W. Charnock in
place of B. Keefe.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: S. Moait, F. Belan, L.
Usher, B. Wooldridge,
P. Ryan.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:-
1. The Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Jeff
Shaw, QC MLC - concerning the calculation of weekly workers' compensation
benefits and responding to Council's concerns that the method of determining
weekly compensation benefits may create financial hardships for certain workers
such as shift workers. The Minister advised that data obtained indicated the
proposal would impose a significant additional cost on the WorkCover Managed
Fund, and a consequent rise in annual premium rates, which could have
significant implications for NSW. However, the issue would receive careful
consideration in the review of the scheme which will result from the Grellman
Report.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and referred to Labor Council's
Occupational Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation Committee for
consideration and further advice."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, New South
Wales Branch - advising that negotiations were currently taking place with
Sunshine Sugar Co-Operative on the North Coast of NSW, and the negotiations
appeared to be on the verge of breaking down with the MTIA threatening to
"lock-out" employees under the protected action provisions of the Federal Act.
The Union requested Labor Council become involved in the negotiations and, if
necessary, authorise any future industrial action taken by the employees.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting of affected unions be
convened to consider this matter."
Com. B. Schmidt seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the New South Wales Department of Industrial Relations -
advising that the Inquiry into Pay Equity would be conducted in the NSW
Industrial Relations Commission by way of Ministerial Reference. The Terms of
Reference of the Inquiry were currently being considered by the Attorney
General and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Jeff Shaw, QC MLC. To
ensure the Inquiry provided all interested parties with an adequate opportunity
to participate, the Department invited Labor Council to comment on the draft
Terms of Reference. Comments should be received by October 21, 1997.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the Terms of Reference be
circulated to all affiliates for comment and Labor Council co-ordinate a
combined union response."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. SUPERANNUATION COMMITTEE
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, reported to affiliates on the Terms of
Reference which had been established for the new Labor Council Superannuation
Committee. The Terms of Reference were as follows:
1. to monitor and review developments on broad superannuation issues in the
public and private sectors;
2. to provide a forum for an exchange of views between public and private
sector unions on superannuation issues;
3. to develop strategies and campaigns in response to legislative changes
impacting on our membership;
4. to inform employee trustees of emerging issues affecting their role and
responsibilities.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. L. Darnley seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. B. Robson seconded.
CARRIED
2. ENHANCED REDUNDANCY PACKAGE
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, advised affiliates that, further to
discussion with the Premier's Department, an enhanced redundancy package was to
be made available to the New South Wales Public Sector.
The changes to the current arrangements were as follows:
. increase of severance pay at the rate of 3 weeks per year of service to a
maximum of 39 weeks (up from 2 weeks and 26 weeks);
. $5,000 allowance for counselling, training and retraining and purchase of
relevant equipment (subject to providing receipts);
. Jobsearch allowance of up to 12 weeks paid leave, whilst not part of the
package, is an option at the discretion of the organisation.
The package is effective from the date of the Premier's Memorandum, which was
due to be signed today, and would also apply to persons who had accepted
voluntary redundancy but were still in employment.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. C. Harris seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. J. Cahill seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:-
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, advised all affiliates that the Health and
Research Employees' Association Union Member Only Award would be handed down in
the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission next Thursday afternoon,
October 9, 1997. Affiliates would be advised of the decision.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, was pleased to advise all affiliates that
following the interviews which had taken place this week for possible
candidates for the 1998 Harvard Trade Union Program the three successful
applicants were;
Peter Remfrey
Secretary - Industrial Division
Police Association of New South Wales
Gerard Dwyer
Branch Assistant Secretary
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (NSW Branch)
Michelle Robertson
Co-Ordinator, Social and Community Services Division
Australian Services Union - Queensland Services Branch .
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.30 P.M.
About Unions NSW
