2. From the Public Service Association of New South Wales - advising that the New South Wales Police were soon to be issued with Capsicum Gas Spray for use in apprehending violent or armed people when firearms might be inappropriate. The Union requested Labor Council investigate with the Police Department whether it is the intention of the Department to confine the use of Capsicum Gas Spray to such incidents as the use of this at times of trade union marches or rallies would be disturbing.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and in the first instance this matter be discussed with the Police Association."
Com. J. Cahill seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Health and Research Employees' Association of New South Wales - advising that the work carried out by WorkCover on the Heat Stress Policy for outdoor workers was very impressive and would be extremely beneficial for indoor workers. The Association has a large number of members employed in indoor work environments, such as hospital kitchens and laundries, who are also subject to excessively hot working conditions all year round. It had received reports of some work environments frequently in excess of the ACTU's recommended 35 degrees heat and its members were often suffering from heat stress symptoms. The Association would be pleased to participate in the development of a Labor Council/WorkCover Joint Policy to develop a WorkCover Code of Practice. It requested the matter be given priority of implementation.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and referred to the Labor Council Occupational Health and Safety Unit for further action."
Com. H. White seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction and General Division, New South Wales Divisional Branch - concerning the recent large scale insolvencies, which have again attracted media and political attention, and advising that it had, together with several other unions and Labor Council, sought to have these issues addressed for many years. Despite these recent developments and all the high profile insolvencies, there were still no provisions for directors' and shareholders' liability or a wage earners protection fund. These initiatives could be put in place by the State Government, without Federal Government involvement, and the Union believed it should be given priority. It requested that Labor Council pursue the issue as a matter of priority and seek to convince the State Government to implement the initiatives within the next six months.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council take up this matter with the State Government as a matter of urgency."
Com. D. Reiss seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Australian Services Union, NSW & ACT Services Branch - concerning the State Transit Enterprise Agreement Dispute Settlement Procedure and Industry Allowance. Recently the Dispute Settlement Procedure and related Industry Allowance had been discussed with appropriate unions and then with STA Management. However, no agreement was reached regarding, firstly, the movement of the Industry Allowance ($1357pa) and applicability, and, secondly, the revised Dispute Settlement Procedures. As Enterprise Agreement negotiations were currently under way in the affected areas, the Union advised it would be appropriate to consolidate the Union's position and therefore requested Labor Council convene a meeting of affected unions.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting of affiliates be convened as requested."
Com. L. Darnley seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the New South Wales Teachers' Federation - concerning the threat to TAFE class sizes which would affect TAFE quality and safety. The newly established Department of Education and Training was intent on increasing TAFE class sizes, particularly in the trade areas where maximum class sizes had been established for decades based on occupational health and safety factors. The Federation sought the support of the Labor Council in its campaign to protect its members from increased workload and responsibility and to defend the quality of teaching in the TAFE system.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the request for support be agreed to in the terms outlined in the correspondence."
Com. B. Sexton seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORT:-
1. CHILD CARE - CHILDREN SERVICES
Senior Executive Officer, Com. N. Steer, reported on the Senate Inquiry into Child Care. Com. Steer reported that Labor Council would be co-ordinating a New South Wales Unions campaign centred around the Senate Inquiry into Children Services commencing March 20, 1998. She urged Unions to have their submissions prepared and submitted to the Inquiry prior to this date.
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