Meeting held : 13 November 1997
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 13TH NOVEMBER, 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. P. Remfrey seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For the ensuing year:
From The Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services
Union - appointing J. Merchant, C. Hodges, A. Chegwidden, S. Terpstra, B.
Turpin, G. Brock, J. Lyons, G. Kelly, G. McLean, S. Peak. P. Reid, G. Lang, A.
D'Amore, B. Kruse.
From The New South Wales Teachers' Federation - appointing P.
Koeneman.
For tonight's meeting:
From The Australian Services Union, NSW & ACT Services Branch - appointing
S. Connolly in place of J. Templeman.
From The Australian Services Union, Clerical and Administrative Branch -
appointing P. Sekhon, F. Hancock, S. Bower.
From The Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union,
Liquor and Hospitality Division, New South Wales Branch - appointing S.
McGrath, P. James, A. Harpas, D. Harris, K. Jeffrey, J. Barry, B. Maxworthy, J.
Linnen.
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch - appointing
S. Kaine in place of R. Collison.
From The Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union, New South Wales Postal and
Telecommunications Branch - appointing E. Husic, D. Dawson, L. Brittain, T.K.
Ly in place of J. Metcher, P. Jones, A. Gadiel, D. Irwin.
From The Commissioned Police Officers' Association of New South Wales -
appointing N. Searle in place of W. Stanton.
From The Electrical Trades Union of Australian, New South Wales Branch -
appointing R. Kassis, J. Woods in place of M. McFayden, I. Munro.
From The Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union -
appointing R. Gillard, W. Moody, M. Neilson, J. Bray, J. Griffiths in place of
J. Merchant, P. Reid, G. Kelly, G. McLean, G. Brock.
From The New South Wales Nurses' Association - appointing J. O'Brien, M. Yates
in place of B. Holmes, R. Whatman.
From The Police Association of New South Wales - appointing M. Burgess, M.
Spring, K. Cole, K. Manitta in place of W. Taylor, G. Dunne, R. Collins, L.
Taylor.
From The Public Service Association of New South Wales - appointing P. McLeay
in place of T. Sherbon.
From The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, New South Wales
- appointing P. Field,, P. Kennedy, in place of G. Donnelly, B. Collins.
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia - appointing T.
Woolgar, K. Price in place of K. Boyd, B. Jenson.
From The Transport Workers' Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch -
appointing B. Tasker, B. Portlock, S. Cain, M. Whybrow, K. Roser, W. Irvine in
place of S. Hutchins, P. Ritsch, S. O'Brien, B. Lee, G. Bourke, J. McLean.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: M. Ferguson, K. Boyd,
J. Merchant, J. Templeman, A. Peters, R. Collison, S. Hutchins.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:-
1. From Commissioner Brian O'Neill of the Industrial Relations
Commission of New South Wales - concerning matter IRC6103/97 - notification
under section 130 of the Act by the National Union of Workers, New South Wales
Branch, of a dispute with Tempo Services Pty Limited regarding non payment of
entitlements, and advising that the matter had been before the Commission on
November 5, 1997. At the hearing the ALHMWU, New South Wales Branch, intervened
in the dispute claiming that employees of Tempo Services were covered by their
union and had been for some time. As this was clearly a demarcation dispute
between the NUW and the ALHMWU, the Commission was referring the demarcation
dispute to the Labor Council, in accordance with long standing rules of the
Labor Council, and requested that Council convene a conference of the parties
with a view to settling the matter. The dispute had been re-listed for a report
before the Commission on December 4, 1997.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council convene a meeting
between the two unions in response to the request of the Commission."
Com. V. Higgins seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Health and Research Employees' Association of New
South Wales - advising that in 1996 it had negotiated, with NSW Health and
the Public Employment Office, a funding agreement that provided for a pay
increase of 18% over three years and advising that the productivity initiatives
necessary to deliver the productivity increases to members had not occurred in
relation to the Department of Community Services and Juvenile Justice. It had
received repeated assurances from the Minister, Ron Dyer, that when NSW Health
received their increases that members employed in the Departments of Community
Services and Juvenile Justice would similarly receive an increase. Members
were becoming increasingly frustrated by the delay and had initiated industrial
action. The Association requested Council intervene in the matter and that
representations be made at the highest level of Government.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council intervene in this
matter as requested by HREA."
Com. M. Williamson seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the New South Wales Attorney General - concerning the NSW
Government's election commitment to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act
1977 so as to make discrimination on the grounds of carers'
responsibilities unlawful, and providing for Council a copy of the Exposure
Draft Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Pregnancy and Carer's Responsibilities)
Bill 1997 for consideration. This was to facilitate constructive community
consultation and Council's comments on the Exposure Draft Bill were requested
within two weeks to expedite the introduction of legislation into Parliament.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to all affiliates and
Labor Council prepare a response to the draft Bill."
Com. S. Moait seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. RESTORATION OF THE TRADES HALL BUILDING
The Secretary reported on a development proposal for the sale of the
Labor Council building and the redevelopment of Trades Hall. A copy of the
proposal is appended to these Minutes. The Assistant Secretary, Com. M. Costa,
supplemented the report with details of the financial arrangements.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. B. Schmidt seconded.
Com. V. Higgins moved an amendment:
"That the Trades Hall Executive meeting be held as soon as convenient for
both parties."
The amendment was accepted by the Secretary.
The motion as amended was CARRIED
NOTICE OF MEETING:-
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, advised that notice was hereby
given, pursuant to Rule 45(d), of a meeting of the Labor Council on Thursday,
December 11 in order to consider and, if thought fit, to approve the following
proposal;
"That the Labor Council property located at 377 Sussex Street, Sydney, be
sold on terms substantially set out in the circular to affiliates, No.823/97
dated November 10, 1997".
The meeting will take place immediately following the Labor Council
meeting on Thursday, December 11, 1997.
ANNOUNCEMENT:-
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, advised affiliates that Labor Council would
adjourn at the meeting on Thursday, December 11, 1997. Labor Council would
resume in 1998 with the first meeting be held on Thursday, January 22. The 1998
Annual General Meeting would take place on Thursday, February 19, 1997.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, reminded affiliates that the sixth lecture in the
1997 Whitlam Lecture Series would be held next Wednesday, November 19, 1997
commencing at 5.00 p.m. The lecture would be delivered by the Hon. Neville
Wran, AC QC, the topic being A Republican Balmain Boy and Proud of It !
The lecture would be held at the Sydney Town Hall and tickets could be obtained
from Michael Gadiel at the Labor Council at a cost of $10.00.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.55 P.M.
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