Meeting held : 10 September 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 10TH SEPTEMBER, 1998 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.08 P.M.
PRESENT:- M. Costa (Secretary), J. Robertson (Assistant Secretary), N. Steer (Executive Officer).
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. B. Jardine seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. J. Hennessy seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:-
For this evening's meeting:
From The Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - appointing F. Hancock.
From the New South Wales Nurses' Association - appointing J. Venamore in place of S. Moait.
From The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - appointing S. Davies in place of B. Jenson.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted from: M. Lennon, G. Gregory, K. Davis, G. Dwyer, B. Riordan, A. Peters.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division - thanking Labor Council for its support in its dispute with the Federal Government in respect of their re-classification of building workers as seasonal workers. The Union advised that following a campaign of protest action and a threatened national stoppage, the Federal Government had backed down. The Union said it was concerned, however, that the backdown may be temporary, being a response to the forthcoming Federal election. The CFMEU advised that it remained determined to protect the unemployment rights of building workers and would respond accordingly if the Government reneged on this commitment.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council congratulate the Union for its successful protection of workers."
Com. B. Parker seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union, MEU, New South Wales Branch - expressing concern about the release of a privacy survey compiled by accounting firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers, in relation to the monitoring of employees in the workplace. The Union said the areas of concern were the monitoring of employees' phone calls, internet and e-mail usage, which business considered part of its normal operations. The Union advised that the Federal Government has considered national privacy legislation but had decided not to proceed with the necessary legislation to protect the privacy of employees in the workplace. The MEU requested Labor Council seek a meeting with the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, The Hon. J. Shaw, QC, MLC, to address this issue as the Federal Government appeared reluctant to deal with it.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council raise the matter with the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, The Hon. J. Shaw, QC, MLC."
Com. J. Merchant seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW Printing Division - advising Council that four hundred members of the Printing Division, employed by Amcor Fibre Packaging, were currently engaged in industrial action and had ceased work at two Sydney plants. The Union said the action revolved around EBA negotiations and expressed concern regarding continued redundancies of Australian workers, and the export of Australian jobs, by this multinational company. The AMWU sought the support of Labor Council for the peaceful assemblies in place at Warren and Percival Roads, Smithfield.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council offer its support and assistance to the Union and the peaceful assemblies."
Com. B. King seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved a Suspension of Standing of Orders to deal with tonight's guest speaker.
Com. W. Wooldridge seconded.
CARRIED
GUEST SPEAKER:
The President, Com. J. Whelan, advised delegates that Mr Kevin O'Driscoll, National Secretary of the Health and Welfare Division of the Public Sector Trade Union in Ireland, would be tonight's guest speaker and invited Com. O'Driscoll to address delegates.
Com. O'Driscoll advised Council that unions in Ireland were now working in partnership with Government and employers, that this was something new in Ireland and appeared to be having a positive effect on economic growth within Ireland. In confirming this, he advised that Ireland was currently enjoying 10% economic growth and an unemployment level at an all time low. With this economic prosperity, Com. O'Driscoll highlighted the need for the Irish people to remember its less well-off in society.
In closing, Com. O'Driscoll said he believed the Irish could learn alot from the 13 years of Labor Government where unions, employers and Government worked together for the greater good of society.
In thanking Com. O'Driscoll for his address to Council tonight, the Secretary, Com. M. Costa, indicated that there were strong links between Ireland and Australia which went back to the first settlers. He said that the bonds should be strengthened so that we can both learn from each other in regards to improving working conditions for all union members.
Com. M. McTigue seconded.
CARRIED BY ACCLAMATION
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved a Resumption of Standing Orders.
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - advising that the Clerical and Administrative Related Employees Industry superannuation fund had incurred costs of over $50,000, associated with the collection of tax file numbers, and other information, required to be supplied to the tax office to meet the requirements of the Howard/Costello tax increases on members' superannuation. The Union further advised that the introduction of a GST would apply to other services associated with superannuation plans, such as administration charges, investment advisory fees, legal fees, accounting and audit fees, thus reducing employees retirement benefits. The ASU requested Labor Council raise the matter with a view to increasing the level of awareness of the high cost to members' superannuation funds imposed by the Howard Government and the implications of a GST on retirement benefits.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council condemn the Howard Government's tax increases which will result in another reduction of workers legitimate entitlements."
Com. M. Want seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From The Maritime Union of Australia, Central NSW Branch - advising Council that the Union would be officially launching its $90 million campaign to defeat the Howard Federal Coalition this Friday, 11th September, 1998, at First Fleet Park at 11.00am. The Union said that a number of notable speakers would attend the launch and would highlight the Coalition's draconian industrial relations policies and poor job security record. The MUA stated that all unions, their officials, delegates, members and friends, were welcome to attend.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council encourage affiliates to attend the launch."
Com. B. Robson seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, The Hon. J. Shaw, QC, MLC - advising Council that, following Cabinet consideration, he had appointed, to the Workers Compensation Advisory Council of New South Wales, the following persons, as members, for a three year term to 18 August, 2001:
Ms Mary Yaager
Occupational Health, Safety & Workers' Compensation Co-ordinator
Labor Council of New South Wales
Mr Andrew Ferguson
Secretary
Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Building & Construction Division
Ms Sandra Moait
Secretary
New South Wales Nurses' Association
Mr Steve Hutchins
Secretary
Transport Workers' Union of Australia
Mr Ian West
Assistant Secretary
Australian Liquor, Hospitality & Miscellaneous Workers Union,
Miscellaneous Workers Divison
The Minister requested Council provide nominations of deputies to each appointed member in accordance with Schedule 2(3)(1) of the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act, 1998.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council nominate:
Chris Christodoulou
Senior Industrial Officer
Labor Council of New South Wales
Rita Mallia
Industrial Officer
Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Building and Construction Division
Linda Anderson
Industrial Officer
New South Wales Nurses' Association
John McLean
Former Secretary
Transport Workers Union, NSW Division
Kirsty Campbell
Secretary
Finance Sector Union of Australia, Bank Employees' Section."
Com. J. Murphy seconded.
CARRIED
7. From the Commissioned Police Officers' Association of New South Wales - expressing the gratitude of the President, Executive and entire membership of the CPOA to the Labor Council, and in particular, Mr Mark Lennon, for the invaluable assistance provided in its long running salary dispute. The Union said that it fully appreciated the worth of the assistance provided and requested that thanks be passed on to Mr Mark Lennon.
Com. Costa moved Executive recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and the CPOA be congratulated on the successful resolution of their pay dispute.
Further, a copy of the correspondence be given to Executive Officer Mark Lennon."
Com. W. Hickey seconded.
CARRIED
8. From the Transport Workers' Union of Australia - advising of a rally held on Tuesday, 8th September, 1998, in Macquarie Street protesting against the Government's requirement for all taxis to have driver safety screens. The Union said that it believed this was a stunt by taxi owners who would rather pocket the proceeds from the former increase in flagfall than provide taxi drivers with decent working conditions and a safe workplace. The Union further advised of the findings of an inquiry into the taxi industry which found there were 2,200 assaults on Sydney taxi drivers every year. The TWU wished to place on record its support for the Government's decision to make taxis a safer workplace for its members by requiring all taxis to have safety screens fitted.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council call on the New South Wales Government to enforce the compulsory installation of security screens."
Com. A. Sheldon seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.48 PM
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