Meeting held : 08 October 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Comrade. Sandra Moait
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 8TH OCTOBER, 1998 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.06 P.M.
PRESENT:- M. Costa (Secretary), M. Lennon, N. Steer, Gail Gregory (Executive Officers).
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. C. Haigh seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:
For this evening's meeting:
From Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - appointing P. Jones, S. Davies in place of B. Tubner, M. Brown.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted from: J. Robertson, C. Hodges, J. Lemaire, G. Donnelly, B. Sembco, W. Hickey, G. Dwyer, N. Lewocki, J. Hennessy.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - requesting Labor Council forward congratulatory correspondence to the Secretary of the Australian Labor Party, NSW Branch, Mr John Della Bosca and the Leader of the Opposition, The Hon. Kim Beazley, MP, on the magnificent results their leadership obtained in Saturday's election. The Union said that a concrete base had been laid on Saturday to allow Labor to win the next Federal Election and implement real Labor policies top rotect and enhance the economic and social position for the people of Australia. The Union also thanked and congratulated the workers and candidates in the various electorates. The ASU stated that the positive results of this Federal Election pointed to a strong performance by Labor in the State Elections next year.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council congratulates all those involved with the federal election campaign for the spectacular result on Saturday and notes that counting continues and there is likelihood of even further gains.
This includes all union officials, rank and file members and the federal and NSW head offices, all of whom contributed to this result.
Labor Council calls on all sections of the movement to work constructively to build on this result.
The Howard Government's social and industrial agendas will raise further challenges to the movement and must be the focus of our full attention in the coming months.
In the interests of the people we represent, the election of a Beazley Government at the earliest possible opportunity, and the re-election of the Carr Labor Government, must be our sole priority."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Transport Workers' Union of Australia - advising that one of its members had been victimised, and dismissed, because he was a union member. The Union said the Company, Envelope Express Couriers, had demanded, from the TWU member, $500 which was to be deducted from his pay until he ceased employment, when 'maybe' it would be refunded to him. When the TWU member refused and stated he would contact his union, the Company responded that it did not hire union members and the deductions were a new company policy. The Union said that while it realises victimisation of union members is nothing new, it appeared to be a growth industry, possibly spurred on by the rhetoric and policies of John Howard and Peter Reith. The TWU requested Labor Council convene a meeting of interested affiliates to discuss the current extent and manifestation victimisation was taking in workplaces, and ways members could be better protected and informed about their rights as union members.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting of affiliates be convened to discuss the apparent growth in victimisation of union members, and to consider appropriate responses."
Com. A. Whale seconded.
CARRIED
3. From the Finance Sector Union of Australia, NSW/ACT Branch - giving Labor Council, and affiliates, an update on the current activities concerning the equitable recognition of same sex relationships. The Union was concerned that with only 18 parliamentary sitting days left this year, the matter needed to be dealt with expeditiously. The Union also advised of activities being undertaken by the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby outside the Premier's office. The Union further advised that the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby was looking for continued support from unions, MP's and community groups for a Bill that ensures where ever laws recognise defacto spouses, that amendments be made to broaden the definition and legally recognise the domestic relationships between partners of the same sex.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and details of the proposed peaceful assemblies be circulated to affiliates for their information.
Further, Comrade Kirsty Campbell be asked to address Labor Council on this issue tonight."
Com. K. Campbell seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From The Hon. J.W. Shaw, QC, MLC, Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations - in response to correspondence from Labor Council supporting the position of the PSA regarding the National Competition Policy and the Federal Government's industrial relations reform agenda. The Attorney General advised that the New South Wales Government had no intention to cede its industrial relations jurisdiction to the Commonwealth, and supported the principles of free and open competition in a regulatory environment that protects vulnerable workers. In relation to the current review of exemptions under the Trade Practices Act, the Attorney General said the New South Wales Government had been asked to provide comments regarding the review process. Section 51(2) of the Trade Practices Act exempts industrial regulation from the application of the Trade Practices Act which enables industrial groups to act in a manner that may be considered anti-competitive. The Attorney General advised the New South Wales Government strongly supported the maintenance of this exemption.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and the New South Wales Government be congratulated on its support for an industrial regulatory environment which allows trade unions to effectively represent their members."
Com. B. Jardine seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division - making representations on behalf of workers engaged in the furniture industry and advising that the Construction & General Division had entered into an arrangement with the Furniture Division to service workers in New South Wales. The Union further advised that it had identified many employers involved in abuse and exploitation of workers, particularly those from a non-English speaking background. It was specifically concerned in respect of contracts for the supply of furniture to State Government schools. The Union said it was essential that the Government ensure contracts were only issued to employers complying with award and statutory requirements. The CFMEU requested Labor Council convene a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss this issue.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and a meeting with the relevant Minister be arranged, as requested."
Com. D. Reiss seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch - writing in relation to an article in today's Daily Telegraph, which revealed Rail Services Australia had issued a cartoon postcard to its employees at a cost of $15,000 which, the Union believed, was an exercise of blatant self-promotion that could most charitably be described as farcical. The ETU said that RSA was attempting to avoid its award and agreement obligations relating to annual leave and acting in higher grade for its employees, across the State, and was also flagrantly proposing to avoid fundamental conditions on the New Southern Railway Project by adopting the practice of 'pyramid sub-contracting'. The Union advised that RSA had also pursued one of the most objectionable aspects of the coalition's Workplace Relations Act - the removal of award conditions through the section 89A process. The ETU said that both public transport workers and users are rightly outraged by this nonsensical waste of public funds at a time when RSA employees are engaged in a struggle for their jobs and employment conditions. The Union requested Labor Council condemn the actions of RSA and the views of Labor Council be communicated to both the Minister for Transport and the Board of RSA.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the corresponden
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