Meeting held : 04 December 1997
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 4TH DECEMBER, 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. M. McTigue seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. G. Livermore seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For tonight's meeting:
From The Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative
Branch - appointing F. Hancock.
From The Public Service Association of New South Wales - appointing F. Collins
in place of B. Jardine.
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia - appointing K.
Price in place of J. Owen.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: B. Jardine, N.
Lewocki, B. Schmidt, J. Merchant, G. Donnelly, G. Dwyer, J. Garrett, S. Moait,
L. Darnley, B. Plain, J. Merchant, J. Hennessy.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:-
1. From the Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales
Branch - advising that the Metal Trades Federation of Unions (MTFU) was
conducting a protest rally on December 16, 1997 as part of its ongoing campaign
in protest against the Federal Government's industrial legislation, namely the
stripping back of awards and attacks on the award system. It advised that any
affiliates wishing to support the rally could obtain details from the notice
provided to the Labor Council.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received, the MTFU Rally be endorsed and
affiliates be encouraged to attend."
Com. N. Allen seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Pam Allan,
MP - concerning the recent meeting held between representatives from the
Minister's Office, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Labor
Council, the Public Service Association and the Australian Workers' Union, to
discuss a Government initiative to utilise the labour of people in the
Community Service Order program, and low risk inmates, for projects in national
parks. It advised that a Memorandum of Understanding for a Statewide framework
for this initiative would not proceed. A Memorandum of Understanding
restricting this initiative to Mootwingee National Park was now in place and
that this "stand-alone" program did not represent the commencement of a
statewide program using this type of labour in national parks. The Minister
assured Labor Council that the projects would have no impact on NPWS jobs in
the area and that the NPWS District staff were fully supportive of the program
as is the local community.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council notes the Memorandum
of Understanding between the Labor Council, Unions and the Government in
respect to the Mootwingee National Park."
Com. F. Collins seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Secretary of Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union
of Australian - advising that as a result of the retirement, Com. Boyd
would be resigning his position on the Executive and as delegate to the Labor
Council as of the first meeting of 1998. Com. Boyd had been elected as a
delegate with the Clothing and Allied Trades Union at 25 years of age and had
retained this position through the amalgamation to today. He thanked the Labor
Council sincerely for the continued assistance that had always been given
during campaigns and disputes and expressed that he would miss the involvement
with Labor Council as a most beneficial and worthwhile organisation to Unions
of New South Wales. Com. Boyd wished the Council every success and hoped it
would continue to prosper in the future.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council expresses its
sincere best wishes to Com. Boyd on his retirement and records its appreciation
for his outstanding efforts in promoting the interests of his members and his
support for the activities of the Labor Council. His strong commitment and
dedication to the labour movement will be strongly missed and we wish him a
long and healthy retirement."
Com. K. Boyd seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
BY ACCLAMATION
REPORTS:-
1. TRADES HALL IN PRINCIPLE AGREEMENT TO REDEVELOPMENT
The Secretary reported that in accordance with a previous resolution of
the Council,
he and Assistant Secretary, Michael Costa, had attended and briefed the Trades
Hall
Association Executive on the proposal for redevelopment of the building.
He was pleased to advise that the Association Executive had endorsed the
project, in
principle and awaited further advice on the Association's ongoing role,
particularly
in respect to the Labour History Museum.
Com. Sams said that he was confident, as negotiations were continuing with
the
shareholders and other interested parties, agreement would be reached. He
emphasised that the Labor Council Officers had been flexible in considering
and meeting the concerns expressed by various of the shareholders and that
with
a degree of goodwill the shared hope of all affiliates would be
realised.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. V. Higgins seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. D. Reiss seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.35 P.M.
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