Meeting held : 21 May 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 21ST 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, N. Steer, J. Robertson (Executive Officers).
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. B. Robson seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For this evening's meeting:
From The Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - appointing F. Hancock, P. Sekhon.
From The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia - appointing D. Tozer, K. Price in place of J. Owen, J. Isaacs.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:-
Apologies were received and accepted from: G. Gregory, B. Jardine, B. King, B. Plain, S. McGrath, J. Hennessy, A. Ferguson, S. McManus, S. Moait, S. Hutchins.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. From the Maritime Union of Australia, Central New South Wales Branch -thanking, and congratulating, Labor Council and its affiliates for their tremendous support during the Patricks dispute, and advising that the achievements to date would not have been possible without the strength of solidarity it had received. It advised that the dispute was far from over and requested the further support of Labor Council and its affiliates. It was certain that a united effort would be successful in defeating the Federal Government and Patricks.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, invited the Trustees of the Labor Council's Waterfront Family Support Trust Fund; President, John Whelan, Com. Lynne Poleson and Financial Controller, Jeff Priestly, to advise of the current state of the fund. Com. L. Poleson reported funds amounting to $120,893.99 had been received and $103,000.00 had been paid out. Additionally, Radio 2KY had provided $24,000 worth of advertising. A cheque for $52,000 was presented to Com. Robert Coombs, Secretary of the New South Wales Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted and a copy be forwarded to all affiliates."
Com. R. Coombs seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From Com. Maggie Ferguson, Assistant Secretary of the Finance Sector Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch - advising Council of her resignation as Labor Council General Executive Member with effect from May 29, 1998 and from all other union positions. Com. Ferguson thanked Com. Sams and the Labor Council for the support and guidance she had received over the years and wished the Labor Council every success for the future, particularly given the challenging times faced by unions with the present conservative Government. Com. Ferguson advised that although she was leaving the FSU it would not be the end of her association with the union movement and she wished Labor Council Executive Members every success for the future.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council place on record its thanks and appreciation to Com. Ferguson for her commitment and dedication to the labour movement and for her support of the activities of the Labor Council. We wish her well for the future and trust that her talents and energies will continue to be available in support of the ideals of our great movement. Nominations for the vacant General Executive position would open forthwith and close at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 1998 with a ballot, if necessary to be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 1998."
Com. G. Derrick seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the CEPU, Communications Division - seeking Labor Council's support for their "Hands Off Aussie Post Campaign", which had been launched to inform the community of the drastic consequences that would flow from the implementation of the national Competition Council report into Australia Post. The Campaign would aim to mobilise community opposition to these measures which would, if implemented, result in the gutting of Australia Post, a loss of vital services to the community and the loss of up to 19,000 jobs. The Union sought the support of Labor Council for the campaign, in particular distributing the leaflet and petition amongst affiliates and the community in general.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council support the union's campaign and circulate the material to all affiliates for their use and distribution."
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. TRADES HALL REDEVELOPMENT
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, advised Council that a meeting of Trades Hall Shareholders held this week had unanimously approved the transfer of the Trades Hall to the Labor Council in the context of the redevelopment proposal previously advised to Council.
He said the decision of the Trades Hall was of historic significance as it was undoubtedly its most important decision since being formed over 100 years ago. The unanimous decision of all shareholding unions marked an extraordinary degree of commitment and solidarity in respect of ensuring the Trades Hall's long term future. This characterised the maturity and good sense of the entire union movement.
He further advised that all the internal processes concerning approval and ownership had now been completed and the next stage of the process was to seek the various planning and Government approvals. This may prove to be a more difficult task but he was confident that the project and redevelopment would be accomplished.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. A. Peters seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. V. Higgins seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
2. STATE WAGE CASE
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, reported that it was likely that no general order would be issued following the State Wage Case proceedings to be concluded next week. It was therefore important for unions, in order to preserve the earliest operative date for wage and allowance increases, to make application as soon as practicable after the decision is announced. Applications should be prepared now and be ready for filing. In view of the general agreement between the parties that the Federal decision should flow to New South Wales State awards, unions should assume that the same amounts available from the Federal decision would be available in the State jurisdiction.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. R. Allen seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. B. Sexton seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.35 P.M.
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