Meeting held : 16 October 1997
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 16TH OCTOBER, 1997 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT CORNER GOULBURN AND SUSSEX STREETS, SYDNEY, AT 6.07 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. M. McTigue seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For tonight's meeting:
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia - appointing K.
Price in place of K. Boyd.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: L. Darnley, G. Dwyer,
G. Donnelly, J. Hennessy, F. Belan, B. Schmidt, J. Merchant.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:-
1. From the Australian Council of Trade Unions - advising that
applications had been lodged with the Australian Industrial Relations
Commission for a test case to consider improvements in the Technological,
Change and Redundancy standard, particularly in relation to severance pay. It
requested Labor Council provide as many examples as possible of severance
payments where the existing standard has been exceeded - whether in awards,
certified agreements or informal, unregistered agreements, in respect of
employers under federal or state jurisdiction. It further requested Labor
Council circulate this request to all affiliates, at the state level, seeking
similar information.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to affiliates, with a
request for any assisting information to be forwarded to the ACTU."
Com. S. Moait seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Police Association of New South Wales - requesting Labor
Council's assistance in respect to the negotiations currently taking place
between the Association and the Government regarding salary increases for Non
Commissioned Police Officers. The Government had made an offer for increases
over three and a half years averaging less than 6% per annum. With movements in
public sector salaries, work value, performance, productivity and efficiency
improvements, as well as the enormous workplace changes occurring in the wake
of the Police Royal Commission and Commissioner Ryan's reforms, its members
were overwhelmingly rejecting the present offer. A mass meeting of members and
workplace representatives had been held today in Bathurst and the assistance of
Labor Council was being sought to convene a meeting with the Premier in an
effort to have this dispute resolved.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council seek a meeting with
the Premier in an effort to resolve the police salary claim."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the International Centre for Trade Union Rights - concerning the
detention of two IUF officials, Ma Wei Pin and Greg Sword, while attending the
2nd Congress of the independent trade union confederation SBSI in Jakarta.
Following the congress being broken up by police the two officials were taken
to the central Jakarta police, station and subsequently kept under police guard
until being escorted to the airport to return to Australia. No charges were
laid and the officials were not told of the reason for their detention.
Additional members and officials of SBSI and journalists were also detained and
then released, although details concerning the charges to be brought against
them were unknown. The IUF had protested these outrages to the Indonesian
authorities and would be reviewing the most effective means of international
action to increase the pressure on the government to respect basic democratic
and trade union rights. It requested Labor Council send similar protests to the
Indonesian authorities.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council write to the
relevant Indonesian authorities protesting strongly the actions of Indonesian
Police in detaining Trade Union Officials who were engaging in legitimate trade
union activity."
Com. S. Moait seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. HARVARD TRADE UNION PROGRAMME
Executive Officer, Com. M. Lennon gave a report on the Australian Trade
Union Program at Harvard Foundation. Com. Lennon reported on the role of the
Foundation in funding Australian unionists' attendance at the Harvard Trade
Union Program. Com. Lennon stated that the Foundation would be seeking the
support of affiliates in assisting to raise funds.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. N. Allen seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. J. Templeman seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:-
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, advised affiliates of the
forthcoming sixth lecture in the 1997 Whitlam Lecture Series, to be delivered
by the Hon. Neville Wran, AC QC on the subject of "The Australian Republic".
The lecture would be held on Wednesday, November 19 commencing at 5.00 p.m. in
the Sydney Town Hall. The cost of tickets is $10.00 and could be purchased from
Michael Gadiel at the Labor Council.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, congratulated delegate Com. Joe Cahill on his
receipt of an ALP Life Membership at the recent ALP Conference.
Community and Public Affairs Officer, Com. Naomi Steer, advised affiliates that
the Labor Party Party II - "Maintain the Rage" Rage was taking place this
evening at the Harbourside Brasserie Pier One and would include a great
appearance by the Secretary, Peter Sams, on the cello. Everybody was invited to
attend and tickets were $20.00 for entry.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.30 P.M.
About Unions NSW
