1. From the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, New South Wales Branch - seeking Labor Council's assistance in organising a meeting between the Minister for Health, the Hon. Dr Refshauge, MP, the Labor Council and the Union regarding the recent fining of Shop Assistants by health inspectors for the sale of cigarettes to minors. The Union was concerned at the method in which the fining was taking place, that, allegedly, health inspectors were organising circumstances whereby a person who is under the age of 18, but looks significantly older, is engaged by the inspectors to purchase cigarettes during a busy period. Once the cigarettes have been sold the inspector issues a fine to the shop assistant. The Union believed these allegations warranted further investigation and requested Labor Council's assistance in this matter.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council organise a meeting with the Minister for Health on this matter."
Com. G. Donnelly seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Health and Research Employees' Association of New South Wales - thanking Labor Council for its assistance in the Industrial Commission during a major demarcation dispute between the PSA and the HREA. The Union particularly thanked Executive Officer, Com. M. Lennon, for his assistance and his clear and comprehensive submission put on behalf of the Labor Council. The assistance of Labor Council had been critical in resolving this matter and the Association requested its thanks be put on record.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a copy be forwarded to Executive Officer, Com. M. Lennon."
Com. M. Williamson seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - advising of a resolution it had passed at its recent monthly meeting, in the following terms:
"This meeting of ASU members expresses its lack of confidence in the Federal Treasurer for his failure to enact vital measures preventing income siphoning to minimise income tax. These strategies are manifested through companies or trusts and include methods such as tax deferment, split incomes and payment of tax at the company rate. We note that this lack of action is in stark contrast to Mr Costello's rhetoric of June 1996 on 'reining in' tax cheats, and that the Government's credibility on tax avoidance, as with many other issues, is seriously in question.
This meeting also congratulates the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party on its decision to target families earning below $50,000 a year for tax relief if it were to win government.
We call upon the Federal Treasurer to follow the example set by the Australian Labor Party and reform the taxation system to:-
(a) more effectively prevent tax avoidance; and
(b) to address the conflict between the tax and social security systems (which leaves many people on low incomes paying prohibitive marginal tax rates and acts as a disincentive to people shifting from welfare back into work).
Mr Costello should be aware that any fancy rhetoric he chooses to employ in prosecuting these matters will be of absolutely no value whatsoever if he fails to act by enacting legislation.
Further, the Secretary forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Labor Council requesting that Labor Council endorse the resolution and forward it to the Federal Treasurer."
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council endorse the ASU's resolution on tax and representations be made to the Federal Government accordingly."
Com. M. Want seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch - advising that it had recently placed a temporary ban on the use of Pigment Emulsified Creosote (PEC) which, when worked with, had resulted in its members suffering from skin burning, throat irritation and skin irritation. The Union was concerned that PEC could turn out to be a carcinogenic and it had requested WorkCover to investigate the matter. The Union requested the support of Labor Council during this investigation, and also requested Labor Council to support its temporary ban so that the NSW Government owned electricity industry may be more sympathetic and sensitive in relation to this issue.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council endorse the ETU's interim ban on the use of Pigment Emulsified Creosote until a thorough investigation is conducted by WorkCover."
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Environmental Health and Building Surveyors' Association of New South Wales - advising that at its recent meeting of the Committee of Management, the Association had resolved to donate the sum of $10,000 towards the Maritime Union of Australia for legal expenses incurred during the dispute. The Union provided a cheque for the amount of $10,000 and a letter to John Coombs of the MUA.
Com. Sams moved Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the letter and cheque from the Union be passed on to the MUA."
Com. R. Coombs seconded.
CARRIED
REPORTS:-
1. RETURNING OFFICER'S REPORT
The Returning Officer, Com. C. Bosworth, reported that at the close of nominations at 5:00 p.m. today, Thursday, May 28, 1998 the following nomination had been received:-
Kirsty Campbell - General Executive Member
The Returning Officer declared Com. Campbell elected unopposed.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. A. Peters seconded.
CARRIED
2. STATE WAGE CASE
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, advised affiliates that the State Wage Case had concluded this week and it was likely that the decision would be handed down as early as next week. He again reminded affiliates, that in view of the likely outcome, to have prepared their applications for the wage increases and allowances, in accordance with the federal decision.
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. C. Hodges seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. P. Sams, moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. A. Peters seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.21 P.M.
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