1. From the Public Service Association of New South Wales - advising that its members from the electricity industry had met today and the delegates had reaffirmed the Union's absolute and total opposition to privatisation of State owned electricity assets. It requested that Labor Council reaffirm its opposition to the privatisation of electricity in New South Wales.
And from The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Mining and Energy Division, New South Wales Energy District - requesting that at tonight's meeting of Labor Council, Council reaffirm the original resolution, against privatisation of the electricity industry, in the following terms:
"That the Power Industry Unions affiliated to the Labor Council are opposed to the privatisation of the New South Wales power industry.
The Labor Council and Unions are extremely disappointed that the undertakings given by the Government in 1995, not to privatise the power industry, are now in jeopardy and call on the Premier and Minister for Energy to honour those commitments given to the union and power industry workers.
To this end the Unions call on the Government to make no decision on the privatisation of the power industry until there has been a full debate.
Regional forums should be called across the state to allow as wide an input as possible.
Any decision by the ALP on privatisation within the power industry should be made at State Conference.
For our part unions will be vigorous participants in the privatisation debated by conducting a campaign of social, industrial and political action."
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Labor Council reaffirms its opposition to the Egan Electricity Privatisation Proposal."
Com. D. Reiss seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - concerning the statement of the role of the New South Wales Department of Industrial Relations. The statement says the Department works with employees, employers and their representatives and does not express that the Department works with trade unions. The term "their representatives" may refer to trade unions, however this should be made explicit. The Union suggested that the term "their representatives" be clarified to include, in its meaning, trade unions and employer associations.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council express concern at the Department's reluctance to acknowledge the role of Trade Unions as employee representatives."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia, New South Wales Telecommunications and Services Branch - advising that at its recent Branch Committee of Management meeting a number of delegates expressed a desire to publicly demonstrate support for the Maritime Union of Australia in its current struggle. The Union requested that a meeting of Labor Council affiliates be convened with a view to organising an event in support of the Maritime Union. The Federal Government's attacks on the trade union management must be countered by a show of broad solidarity by Unions and community groups.
And from The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction and General Division, New South Wales Divisional Branch - concerning the ongoing anti-union assault by the Federal Government against the Maritime Union of Australia, and the current dispute involving Patricks and the National Farmers Federation. It is vital that the Union Movement in New South Wales acts firmly and decisively to support the Maritime Union of Australia in their current struggles. It requested that Labor Council convene an urgent meeting of affiliates to discuss appropriate action such as support, industrial action, mass rallies and all industry delegate meetings.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that a meeting of affiliates be convened to consider means of support for the Maritime Union of Australia"
Com. D. Reiss seconded.
Com. B. Coombs spoke to the resolution.
Com. B. Robson spoke to the resolution
CARRIED
4. From the Transport Workers' Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch - advising that, despite a lot of recent publicity on improved performance on road safety by the trucking industry, for many truck drivers the situation was actually deteriorating. This was reflected in the fact that last year's incidences of speeding and fatigue of heavy vehicles recorded by the Safe-T-Cam system in New South Wales was over double the previous year's recordings. The transport chain was using market forces to drive down costs which ultimately forced some drivers to break the law in order to make a living. The Freight Transport Industry's rush towards self regulation was freeing up the market for the clients and the freight forwarders, while drivers were being forced to drive faster, longer and for less money to remain competitive. The Union requested the support of Labor Council and its affiliates in its campaign to put safety ahead of profit in the trucking industry.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Labor Council support the Transport Workers' Union in its campaign to make safety the priority for its members in the trucking industry."
Com. T. Sheldon seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORT:-
1. RETURNING OFFICER'S REPORT
The Returning Officer, Com. C. Bosworth, reported that at the close of nominations at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 1998 nominations had been received for the following positions:-
PRESIDENT
John Whelan
VICE PRESIDENTS (5 required)
Patricia Ryan (PTU)
Sandra Moait (NSWNA)
John Hennessy (NSWTF)
Michael Williamson (HREA)
Alison Peters (ASU - NSW Services)
TRUSTEES (3 required)
Leonard Darnley (ASU - NSW Services)
Daniel Reiss (CFMEU)
Michael Want (ASU - NSW Clerical)
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (3 required)
Naomi Steer (Senior) (Labor Council)
Gail Gregory (Labor Council)
John Robertson (Labor Council)
GENERAL EXECUTIVE MEMBERS (3 required)
Maggie Ferguson (FSU - Insurance Div.)
Joan Templeman (ASU - Transport)
no nomination received for the 3rd position
ACTU EXECUTIVE MEMBER (1 required)
Peter Sams (Labor Council)
ACTU ALTERNATIVE EXECUTIVE MEMBER (1 required)
Michael Costa (Labor Council)
ACTU CONGRESS DELEGATES (2 required)
Michael Costa (Labor Council)
Peter Sams (Labor Council)
COMMITTEES
DISPUTES COMMITTEE (6 required)
Frank Belan (NUW)
Chris Raper (ALHMWU - Miscellaneous Div.)
Andrew Ferguson (CFMEU - Building Div.)
Gene Livermore (AWU)
Patricia Ryan (PTU - Bus Division)
Bill Wooldridge (CEPU - Electrical Division)
FINANCE COMMITTEE (5 required)
Jack Merchant (MEU)
Peter Remfrey (NSW Police Assoc.)
Richard Shearman (IEU)
Chris Read (FBEU)
Michael Williamson (HREA)
WIRELESS AND MEDIA COMMITTEE (5 required)
Robert Coombs (MUA)
Russ Collison (AWU)
John Hennessy (NSWTF)
Colin Hodges (MEU)
Steve Hutchins (TWU)
ORGANISING COMMITTEE (7 required)
Judith Bennett (ASU - NSW Clerical)
Paul Sinclair (CEPU - Electrical)
Geoff Derrick (FSU)
Gregory Donnelly (SDA)
Barry Johnson (NSWTF)
Michel Hryce (MEAA)
Ian McCarthy (CEPU - Telecommunications & Services)
GROUPS - EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
Australian Government Employees Group M. Larsen (CPSU)
Banking and Finance Group G. Derrick (FSU)
Building Group A. Ferguson (CFMEU - Building)
Distribution and Food Group F. Belan (NUW)
Education Group J. Hennessy (NSWTF)
General Australian Workers' Group R. Collison (AWU)
General Transport Group S. Hutchins (TWU)
Public Health Group C. Thomson (HREA)
Hospitality and Tourism Group J. Morris (ALHMWU L&H)
Local Government Group J. Merchant (MEU)
Manufacturing Group B. Tubner (TCFUA)
Metal Trade Group I M. O'Connell (APESMA)
Metal Trade Group II W. Wooldridge (CEPU - Electr)
Mining Group L. Usher (CFMEU - Mining)
Prof., Admin. and Clerical Group J. Bennett (ASU - Clerical)
Government Transport Group R. Plain (PTU)
Publications Group B. King (AMWU - Printing)
Retail Industry Group G. Donnelly (SDA)
Services Group I. West (ALHMWU - Misc.)
State Public Sector Group B. Jardine (PSA)
Water and Stevedoring Group J. Garrett (MUA)
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