Meeting held : 07 May 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 7TH MAY, 1998 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, J. Robertson (Executive Officers).
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. G. Donnelly seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For the ensuing year:
From The Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - appointing J. Bennett, S. Bower, V. Higgins, A. Macdonald, T. Tamplin.
For tonight's meeting:
From The Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - appointing P. Sekhon.
From The New South Wales Nurses' Association - appointing K. Davis in place of M. Neilson.
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 P. Jones in place of B. Tubner.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: B. Sexton, S. Moait, S. McGrath, J. Merchant, A. Rawlinson, J. Templeman, M. Ellery, J. Piotrowski.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. From the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction and General Division, New South Wales Divisional Branch - proposing that Labor Council, in consultation with the Maritime Union of Australia, organise endorsement of memorials, to the 1998 waterfront fight, to be built adjacent to the Patricks terminals at Port Botany and Darling Harbour. It was willing to assist with the construction of the memorials and Labor Council would need to arrange approvals from the NSW Port Authority and Sydney City Council or Botany Council. These memorials would be an appropriate way to commemorate the heroic battle of the labour movement in defending the rights of workers.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and in the first instance Labor Council officers discuss this suggestion with the Maritime Union of Australia."
Com. A. Peters seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Maritime Union of Australia, National Office - conveying its heartfelt thanks to the New South Wales Waterfront Family Support Trust Fund for the generous donation of $20,000.00 to its Union Defence Fund. The Union had distributed $1,150,000.00 as sustenance to its members and their families. The solidarity and discipline of the Union's membership, and fellow Unionists, was a factor yet to be recognised by the Government, Patricks and the National Farmers' Federation. The Union was receiving considerable support from the general public, as well as the trade union movement, and more and more Australians were becoming deeply suspicious of the devious and uncaring actions of Patricks, the National Farmers' Federation and the Government, particularly since the recent decisions of the Federal Court and the submissions now before the High Court.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted and the Union be congratulated on their win in the High Court and affiliates be thanked for their magnificent support during the dispute."
Com. B. Johnson seconded.
Com. F. Barnes moved an amendment:
"Unions are encouraged to attend a trade union benefit performance for the MUA - 'One Word WE !' with Pete Seeger to be held on Saturday, 23rd May, 1998 at 8:00 p.m. in the Teachers Federation Auditorium".
Com. B. Johnson seconded.
The amendment was accepted.
CARRIED
3. The California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - inviting a representative from the Labor Council to attend the 22nd biennial constitutional convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. The convention would be held from Monday, July 20 through to Wednesday, July 22, 1998 in Oakland, California. In accordance with our standing arrangements, the California Labor Federation would meet all expenses for the representative's participation at the convention.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council accept the invitation to attend the 22nd biennial constitutional convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO and Assistant Secretary, Com. M. Costa, be Council's representative."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the Premier's Department of New South Wales - advising that the New South Wales Government had acted on its commitment to establish an employer sponsored child care centre in the Sydney CBD. The Nanbaree Child Centre is located at 28 Margaret Street, Sydney. It has 42 places and is managed by the Lady Gowrie Child Centre, a long established provider of high quality services for children. The Centre would fill a gap in the range of child care services available to people who work in the city, and, in particular, to employees of sponsoring Public Sector agencies. In recognition of the partnership between the Public Sector, and the Unions which provide services to its employees, a priority of access to staff of these Unions, of 10 places, had been approved. The Department requested Labor Council co-ordinate distribution of the information about the Centre to Unions, particularly to those Unions which provide services to Public Sector employees.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to all affiliates for information."
Com. J. Lemaire seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. STATE WAGE CASE
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams said that a Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission (Wright, President Cahill J, Vice President Schmidt J, Harrison D.P, Patterson C) commenced proceedings in the State Wage Case today consequent upon the Australian Commission's recent National Wage Case. The Secretary said that in view of the reasonably favourable outcome from the Federal decision, Labor Council would seek to flow on the safety net adjustments available from the decision into New South Wales awards. The Commission had listed two days of hearings, May 26 and 27, with a report back before the President on Friday, May 15. Should any difficulties arise, which were not expected, a meeting of affiliates would be convened.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. C. Bosworth seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted and the actions of the officers be endorsed."
Com. M. Williamson seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.30 P.M.
LABOR COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 7TH MAY, 1998 AT
377-383 SUSSEX STREET, SYDNEY, AT 5:05 P.M.
The President, Com. J. Whelan, occupied the chair.
PRESENT: P. Sams (Secretary), M. Costa (Assistant Secretary), M. Lennon, N. Steer, G. Gregory, J. Robertson (Executive Officers), P. Ryan, A. Peters (Vice Presidents), L. Darnley, M. Want (Trustees), J. Templeman, J. Lemaire, M. Larsen, B. Johnson, W. Wooldridge, L. Usher, J. Bennett.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be taken as read and received."
Com. J. Lemaire seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
From The Local Government Group - appointing C. Hodges in place of J. Merchant.
From The Manufacturing Group - apponting M. Brown in place of B. Tubner.
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from:- S. Moait, M. Williamson, J. Hennessy, D. Reiss, N. Steer, G. Gregory, M. Ferguson, G. Derrick, A. Ferguson, F. Belan, R. Collison, S. Hutchins, C. Thomson, J. Morris, J. Merchant, B. Tubner, M. O'Connell, R. Plain, B. King, G. Donnelly, I. West, B. Jardine, J. Garrett.
GUEST SPEAKER:
The President, Com. J. Whelan, welcomed and introduced John Buchanan, Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Industrial Relations, Research and Teaching, and invited him to address members of the Labor Council Executive committee.
Com. Buchanan outlined a proposal concerning research into working time reform to be undertaken by ACIRRT. ACIRRT were proposing to undertake research regarding working time arrangements and would then prepare a paper identifying options for the union movement on the progressive reform of working time issues. Com. Buchanan said that it would be beneficial for the Labor Council to be involved and requested the support of Labor Council for the project.
Com. Sams thanked Com. Buchanan for addressing members of the Executive and outlining the project.
Com. J. Lemair seconded.
CARRIED
BY ACCLAMATION
CORRESPONDENCE:
From the Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch - expressing its outrage that the Liberal Spokesman on Public Transport had released misleading information on the State Transit bus accidents and service cancellations. This cheap political point scoring by the Liberal opposition undermined public confidence in STA bus services and is an unfair cowardly attack on the integrity and professionalism its bus operators. The current reconstruction of major road systems in the Sydney metropolitan area had resulted in major traffic congestion, lane closures, concrete barrier installations and a reduction in bus lanes and its bus drivers provided an excellent service to commuters under these difficult and stressful situations. The Union was alarmed that the Liberal Shadow Minister for transport had publicly acknowledged that the information on bus accidents was provided by the ASU Transport Division. The Union sought the support of Labor Council and other affiliated unions in resolving this matter.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council condemn the deliberate misrepresentations of the Opposition Transport Spokesperson on State Transit issues and council convene a meeting of the PTU and ASU to discuss this matter further."
Com. P. Ryan seconded and spoke to the resolution.
Com. L. Darnley spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
From the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction and General Division, New South Wales Divisional Branch - proposing that Labor Council, in consultation with the Maritime Union of Australia, organise endorsement of memorials, to the 1998 waterfront fight, to be built adjacent to the Patricks terminals at Port Botany and Darling Harbour. It was willing to assist with the construction of the memorials and Labor Council would need to arrange approvals from the NSW Port Authority and Sydney City Council or Botany Council. These memorials would be an appropriate way to commemorate the heroic battle of the labour movement in defending the rights of workers.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and in the first instance Labor Council officers discuss this suggestion with the Maritime Union of Australia."
Com. L. Usher seconded.
CARRIED
From the Maritime Union of Australia, National Office - conveying its heartfelt thanks to the New South Wales Waterfront Family Support Trust Fund for the generous donation of $20,000.00 to its Union Defence Fund. The Union had distributed $1,150,000.00 as sustenance to its members and their families. The solidarity and discipline of the Union's membership, and fellow Unionists, was a factor yet to be recognised by the Government, Patricks and the National Farmers' Federation. The Union was receiving considerable support from the general public, as well as the trade union movement, and more and more Australians were becoming deeply suspicious of the devious and uncaring actions of Patricks, the National Farmers' Federation and the Government, particularly since the recent decisions of the Federal Court and the submissions now before the High Court.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted and the Union be congratulated on their win in the High Court and affiliates be thanked for their magnificent support during the dispute."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
The California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - inviting a representative from the Labor Council to attend the 22nd biennial constitutional convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. The convention would be held from Monday, July 20 through to Wednesday, July 22, 1998 in Oakland, California. In accordance with our standing arrangements, the California Labor Federation would meet all expenses for the representative's participation at the convention.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council accept the invitation to attend the 22nd biennial constitutional convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO and Assistant Secretary, Com. M. Costa, be Council's representative."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
From the Premier's Department of New South Wales - advising that the New South Wales Government had acted on its commitment to establish an employer sponsored child care centre in the Sydney CBD. The Nanbaree Child Centre is located at 28 Margaret Street, Sydney. It has 42 places and is managed by the Lady Gowrie Child Centre, a long established provider of high quality services for children. The Centre would fill a gap in the range of child care services available to people who work in the city, and, in particular, to employees of sponsoring Public Sector agencies. In recognition of the partnership between the Public Sector, and the Unions which provide services to its employees, a priority of access to staff of these Unions, of 10 places, had been approved. The Department requested Labor Council co-ordinate distribution of the information about the Centre to Unions, particularly to those Unions which provide services to Public Sector employees.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to all affiliates for information."
Com. A. Peters seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
STATE WAGE CASE
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams said that a Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission (Wright, President Cahill J, Vice President Schmidt J, Harrison D.P, Patterson C) commenced proceedings in the State Wage Case today consequent upon the Australian Commission's recent National Wage Case. The Secretary said that in view of the reasonably favourable outcome from the Federal decision, Labor Council would seek to flow on the safety net adjustments available from the decision into New South Wales awards. The Commission had listed two days of hearings, May 26 and 27, with a report back before the President on Friday, May 15. Should any difficulties arise, which were not expected, a meeting of affiliates would be convened.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted and the actions of the officers be endorsed."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
2. 2HD
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:
".................................."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE ADJOURNED AT 5:35 P.M.
About Unions NSW
