Meeting held : 23 April 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 23RD APRIL, 1998 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT CORNER GOULBURN AND SUSSEX STREETS, SYDNEY, AT 6.10 P.M.
PRESENT:- M. Costa (Acting Secretary), M. Lennon, N. Steer, G. Gregory, J. Robertson (Executive Officers).
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. J. Merchant seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. J. Cahill seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For the ensuing year:
From The Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch - appointing N. Lewocki, R. Plain, R. Ryan, R. Hayden, N. Smith, L. Cavaliere, T. Avery, R. Pearsall.
For tonight's meeting:
From The Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - appointing F. Hancock, P. Sekhon.
From The New South Wales Nurses' Association - appointing K. Davis in place of Y. Geczy.
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia - appointing P. Jones in place of B. Jenson.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: P. Sams, G. Donnelly, G. Dwyer, W. Hickey, P. Sams, A. Ferguson, G. Sargeant, M. Ellery, J. Hennessy.
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE:
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, advised it was his sad duty to report the passing of Com. Bob Page, OAM, formerly of the Police Association of New South Wales and the Police Federation of Australia and New Zealand. Bob was an active Police Officer from 1948 to 1972 and was Secretary of the Police Association of New South Wales from 1972 to 1986 and Secretary and Life Member of the Police Federation of Australia and New Zealand from 1986 to 1994. He had been a delegate to the ACTU and a long term delegate to Labor Council. Com. Page was previously awarded a Labor Council Scroll of Honour. In addition to his work with the union movement, Bob was also extensively involved in voluntary work with the Bush Fire Brigade and as a Councillor on Warringah Council.
Com. Costa moved a Motion of Condolence to the family and friends of the late Com. Bob Page, OAM.
Com. P. Remfrey seconded.
CARRIED BY DELEGATES
OBSERVING A MINUTES SILENCE
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. From the Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch - expressing concerning over the State Government's inability to maintain authorised State Transit Police levels to provide adequate security for rail and bus passengers. The recent announcement by the Transport Minister to employ private security guards onto CityRail services after 7:00 p.m. would not overcome the security problems on public transport. This could only be achieved by maintaining the correct levels of State Transit Police rostered on trains and buses to monitor security levels. The Union requested Labor Council organise a deputation of interested rail unions to the Minister for Police so that an agreement could be reached on adequate policing services on the public transport system.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that a meeting with the Minister for Police, the Hon. Paul Whelan, MP, to address the issue of public transport security be arranged as requested."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - advising of a resolution it had passed at its recent Branch Council meeting, in the following terms;
"Branch Council calls on the State Government to amend the Workers Compensation Act and other relevant legislation to ensure that stress related illnesses caused by the work environment are recognised as illnesses."
The Union urged Labor Council to strongly endorse the Union's position.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and referred to the Labor Council's Workers' Compensation Committee for consideration."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch - requesting that a meeting of Rail Unions who have members employed by the Rail Services Authority be convened to discuss the proposed legislation to corporatise the Rail Services Authority. The purpose of the meeting was to review the draft legislation and determine the employee board representative to be recommended to the Government. The moratorium on contracting out within the Rail Services Authority provides an opportunity to restructure the RSA, and the legislation to corporatise RSA is an opportunity to ensure that the trade union position can be argued at the board level.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that a meeting of rail unions to consider issues regarding the corporatisation of RSA be convened."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. MARITIME UNION DISPUTE
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, reported on the ACTU Executive meeting held Monday, April 20, 1998 and progress in implementing Labor Council's resolution of Thursday, April 16, 1998. Com. Costa's report was supplemented by President, John Whelan, and Com. Lyn Poleson presented a cheque for $25,000.00 to the National Assistant Secretary of the MUA, Com. Vic Slater. Com. Slater addressed Council and thanked all affiliates for their financial and moral support for the MUA in this critical dispute.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. B. Jardine seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. J. Merchant seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.35 P.M.
LABOR COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 23RD APRIL, 1998 AT
377-383 SUSSEX STREET, SYDNEY, AT 5:04 P.M.
The President, Com. J. Whelan, occupied the chair.
PRESENT: M. Costa (Acting Secretary), M. Lennon, N. Steer, G. Gregory, J. Robertson (Executive Officers), S. Moait, A. Peters (Vice Presidents), L. Darnley, M. Want (Trustees), M. Ferguson, J. Templeman, B. Johnson, J. Merchant, B. Tubner, W. Wooldridge, J. Bennett, B. Jardine, L. Poleson.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be taken as read and received."
Com. L. Darnley seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. S. Moait seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
There were no credentials for this evening's meeting.
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from:- P. Sams, P. Ryan, M. Williamson, J. Hennessy, D. Reiss, G. Gregory, J. Lemaire, M. Larsen, G. Derrick, A. Ferguson, F. Belan, R. Collison, S. Hutchins, C. Thomson, J. Morris, M. O'Connell, L. Usher, R. Plain, B. King, G. Donnelly, I. West, J. Garrett.
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE:
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, advised it was his sad duty to report the passing of Com. Bob Page, OAM, formerly of the Police Association of New South Wales and the Police Federation of Australia and New Zealand. Bob was an active Police Officer from 1948 to 1972 and was Secretary of the Police Association of New South Wales from 1972 to 1986 and Secretary and Life Member of the Police Federation of Australia and New Zealand from 1986 to 1994. He had been a delegate to the ACTU and a long term delegate to Labor Council. Com. Page was previously awarded a Labor Council Scroll of Honour. In addition to his work with the union movement, Bob was also extensively involved in voluntary work with the Bush Fire Brigade and as a Councillor on Warringah Council.
Com. Costa moved a Motion of Condolence to the family and friends of the late Com. Bob Page, OAM.
Com. L. Darnley seconded.
CARRIED BY DELEGATES
OBSERVING A MINUTES SILENCE
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:
From the Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch - expressing concerning over the State Government's inability to maintain authorised State Transit Police levels to provide adequate security for rail and bus passengers. The recent announcement by the Transport Minister to employ private security guards onto CityRail services after 7:00 p.m. would not overcome the security problems on public transport. This could only be achieved by maintaining the correct levels of State Transit Police rostered on trains and buses to monitor security levels. The Union requested Labor Council organise a deputation of interested rail unions to the Minister for Police so that an agreement could be reached on adequate policing services on the public transport system.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and that a meeting with the Minister for Police, the Hon. Paul Whelan, MP, to address the issue of public transport security be arranged as requested."
Com. L. Darnley seconded.
CARRIED
From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - advising of a resolution it had passed at its recent Branch Council meeting, in the following terms;
"Branch Council calls on the State Government to amend the Workers Compensation Act and other relevant legislation to ensure that stress related illnesses caused by the work environment are recognised as illnesses."
The Union urged Labor Council to strongly endorse the Union's position.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and referred to the Labor Council's Workers' Compensation Committee for consideration."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
From the Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch - requesting that a meeting of Rail Unions who have members employed by the Rail Services Authority be convened to discuss the proposed legislation to corporatise the Rail Services Authority. The purpose of the meeting was to review the draft legislation and determine the employee board representative to be recommended to the Government. The moratorium on contracting out within the Rail Services Authority provides an opportunity to restructure the RSA, and the legislation to corporatise RSA is an opportunity to ensure that the trade union position can be argued at the board level.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and that a meeting of rail unions to consider issues regarding the corporatisation of RSA be convened."
Com. L. Darnley seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
MARITIME UNION DISPUTE
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, reported on the ACTU Executive meeting held Monday, April 20, 1998 and progress in implementing Labor Council's resolution of Thursday, April 16, 1998. Com. Costa's report was supplemented by President, John Whelan, and Com. Lyn Poleson presented a cheque for $25,000.00 to the National Assistant Secretary of the MUA, Com. Vic Slater. Com. Slater addressed Council and thanked all affiliates for their financial and moral support for the MUA in this critical dispute.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. B. Jardine seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. S. Moait seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE ADJOURNED AT 5:28 P.M.
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