Meeting held : 05 November 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 5TH NOVEMBER, 1998 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.06 P.M.
PRESENT:- M. Costa (Secretary), J. Robertson (Assistant Secretary), M. Lennon, N. Steer (Executive Officers).
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. D. James 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 Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union - appointing S. Johnson.
From Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation (New South Wales) - appointing D. Koutts in place of P. Somerville.
From Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - appointing F. Hancock, D. James, D. Robinson, P. Sekhon.
From The Australian Workers' Union - appointing A. White in place of C. Bodnar.
From Community and Public Sector Union - appointing B. Forbes, B. Cotter, M. Stuart-Fox in place of K. Rowe, M. Larsen, D. Bennet.
From Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union, Forest & Forest Products Division, NSW Branch - appointing G. Hillier, H. Anderson, A. D'Adam.
From Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch - appointing P. Sinclair in place of W. Wooldridge.
From The Environmental Health and Building Surveyors' Association of New South Wales - appointing M. Gadiel.
From The Maritime Union of Australia, Central New South Wales Branch - appointing S. Schaeffer in place of R. Coombs.
From New South Wales Nurses' Association - appointing S. Shean in place of S. Moait.
From NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union - appointing K. Cameron in place of S. Flynn.
From NSW Teachers Federation - appointing L. Fraser, D. Hague, S. Edsall, C. O'Sheades in place of J. Hennessy, J. Leete, M. O'Halloran, S. Simpson.
From Police Association of New South Wales - appointing A. Wright, A. Whitton, K. Manitta, G. Chilvers, B. Morgan, T. Conway in place of W. Taylor, G. Dunne, M. Burgess, P. Remfrey, L. Taylor.
From Public Transport Union, Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industry Union - appointing G. Pryor in place of R. Plain.
From Public Transport Union, New South Wales Branch - appointing M. Crosby in place of L. Cavaliere.
From Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - appointing D. Tozer in place of B. Jenson.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted from: G. Gregory, M. Williamson, C. Thompson, J. Garrett, R. Plain, J. Hennessy, W. Wooldridge, K. Campbell, R. Coombs, R. Pembo.
GUEST SPEAKER:
The President, Com. J. Whelan, welcomed and introduced The Hon. Arch Bevis, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, as tonight's guest speaker, and invited Com. Bevis to address delegates.
Com. Bevis firstly thanked all the unions for their support during the Federal election campaign. He advised that the Labor Party gained a clear majority of the two party preferred result in New South Wales which was an outstanding result and something that all unions should be proud of. He advised Council that the focus of the Australian Labor Party during this parliament, from an industrial relations perspective, would be on fair conditions and a safe work environment.
Com. Bevis indicated that the Government, through the Minister for Industrial Relations, The Hon. Peter Reith, MP, intended to introduce fresh legislation amending the Workplace Relations Act during the life of this parliament. He said it was clear that both the Prime Minister, The Hon. J. Howard, MP, and the Minister for Industrial Relations believed the road to reducing unemployment was to further erode the role of the Industrial Relations Commission, a reduced role for unions and a reduction in pay. This, he said, would be an argument that confronts the labour movement during the term of the Government.
Com. Bevis said he looked forward to working with the unions in the future as somebody with a background in the movement, having worked for 13 years as a full-time officer with the Queensland Teachers Federation.
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, in moving a vote of thanks to Com. Bevis for his address to Council tonight, said it was a pleasure to have a Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations at the Labor Council and especially pleasing to have one who was a full-time trade union official. He stated that if Com. Bevis followed the lead of the New South Wales Industrial Relations Minister, The Hon. JW Shaw, QC, MLC, he would do well in his portfolio.
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED BY ACCLAMATION
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union - NSW Postal & Telecommunications Branch - raising concern about the security crisis that is confronting Australia Post and advising statistics had indicated a seven fold increase in the number of armed hold-ups in post offices since 1994. The Union said this issue had been a priority for some time as it had been receiving phone calls, almost daily, from distressed members who had been victims of such crimes. The CEPU advised that the security issue had culminated recently with the closure of two post offices in two weeks and stated that post office closure was not an adequate response to the issue. The Union further advised that Australia Post management had consistently levelled the blame at the New South Wales Government's decision to abolish the armed hold-up squad and therefore requested Labor Council convene an urgent meeting between the Union and the Minister for Police, The Hon. P. Whelan, MP, and/or the Premier, The Hon. B. Carr, MP.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council seek a meeting, as requested by the Union."
Com. T. Barber seconded.
CARRIED
2. From the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Fair Trading, The Hon. JW Shaw, QC, MLC - attaching the latest draft of the Government's Worker's Compensation Legislation Amendment (Dust Diseases and Other Matters) Bill 1998. The Minister requested Labor Council's views on this proposed legislation.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council support the Workers' Compensation Legislation Amendment (Dust Diseases and Other Matters) Bill 1998.
Further, that Labor Council congratulate the Minister on the Bill."
Com. B. Robson seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Roads and Traffic Authority - advising that it had initiated a review of training systems for plant operators, looking specifically at the necessary training and information required by plant operators, to safely operate plant used in road and bridge maintenance and construction. The Authority said the review would identify current RTA systems for providing training and assessment of plant operators, review the existing systems and compare them with external standards and the requirements of OH&S legislation. The RTA said it would use the findings of the review to assist in the development of OH&S policies and procedures.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to RTA Unions.
Further, that Labor Council write to the RTA to ensure that the unions are also consulted."
Com. R. Collison seconded.
CARRIED
4. From the Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Fair Trading, The Hon. JW Shaw, QC, MLC - regarding the Industrial Relations Amendment (Unfair Contracts) Bill 1998 which was currently before the Parliament. The Minister advised that careful consideration had been given to amending the Bill, after a number of organisations had provided their views. However, it was decided that the Bill should proceed in its current form. The Minister wished to thank all those who assisted by providing such comment.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to all affiliates for their information."
Com. A. Sheldon seconded.
CARRIED
5. From the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, (DET), Office of the Assistant Director-General (Industry Services) - advising that the Department had initiated a range of actions to strengthen and broaden the opportunities for vocational education and training (VET) in schools. DET said one of the strategies in relation to this initiative was the expansion of opportunities for part-time traineeships undertaken by students at school. A key aspect of this initiative was the need to broaden the scope of industrial arrangements in New South Wales which provide for part-time training, particularly within State Industrial Awards. DET stated that an Advisory Committee was to be established and invited Labor Council to nominate a person to join the Advisory Committee for the Part-Time Traineeship Industrial Strategy.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council nominate Executive Assistant, Mr Michael Gadiel."
Com. C. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning and Minister for Housing, The Hon. C. Knowles, MP - advising that Labor Council's representation on the Heritage Council of New South Wales, by Mr William Wooldridge, with Ms Joan Templeman as his alternate, was to expire on 13 December, 1998. The Minister advised that Mr Wooldridge had been a member of the Heritage Council for over 8 years and a recent amendment of the Heritage Act (Section 9) now precluded a member being reappointed for more than a period not exceeding 6 years. The Minister requested, in accordance with Section 8(2)(vi) of the Heritage Act, 1977, that Labor Council forward its written nomination of a panel of three persons, one of whom shall be appointed as a member of the Heritage Council for a three year term commencing 14 December, 1998, to 31 December, 2001, and one of whom shall be appointed as alternate member.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council nominate Ms Joan Templeman as our representatives."
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
7. From the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, NSW Branch - advising Council that a large number of its journalist and performer members were not supportive of the Labor Council's Currawong redevelopment proposal and requesting that the vote on the current proposal be deferred until such time that the Friends of Currawong have fair and adequate time to develop an alternative proposal, to that of Corporate Renaissance, for consideration by Labor Council.
From the Transport Workers' Union of Australia - referring to its correspondence of 14 September, 1998, and 22 October, 1998, regarding the proposal to lease Currawong. The Union said that while it continued to support the proposal in accordance with the draft Heads of Agreement between the Labor Council and Corporate Renaissance, in light of correspondence from members of the Currawong Committee, it requested that its Notice of Motion be withdrawn at this time. The Union advised that the reason for this request was it believed it would be helpful to affiliates in considering their position on this matter and that a period of three months be provided to allow them to put forth, along with the Friends of Currawong group, an alternate proposal for the site. The TWU stated however, that it believed any alternate proposal had to match the undoubted benefits, to the trade union movement, contained in the draft Heads of Agreement that was the subject of the Notice of Motion.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and the Notice of Motion be withdrawn, as requested by the Union."
Com. A. Sheldon seconded.
Com. B. Robson of The Maritime Union of Australia, moved an addendum:
"We note the proposal from Corporate Renaissance regarding Currawong. The proposal has raised some concerns amongst a number of unionists and some areas of the community. However, the Council believes that given the need to operate in an increasingly hostile environment, all our resources must be fully utilised and that emphasis must be placed on using those resources to build growth in union membership. One of the essential tools in that strategy is the ability to deliver education to union officials and provide funds for specific strategically important organising projects.
The Labor Council resolves to re-consider the current proposal, along with any other proposals, in relation to Currawong in three months time.
Accordingly, the Labor Council calls on any interested affiliates or organisations to develop, and put forward, alternative development proposals framed within the criteria set out below within the next three months. Any such proposal should be comparable to the key features of the current proposal.
* Guaranteed income to the Labor Council for use in organising projects.
* Provision of a high standard of accommodation at an affordable price for the use of TUTA in its residential training program.
* Cost.
* Ownership control and management structure.
* Environmental safeguards.
* General support to the trade union movement.
* Subject to the preceding criteria, continued access to union members for recreational purposes.
A sub-committee of Labor Council involving the Secretary, the President and Vice Presidents be empowered to evaluate all proposals put forward and to report back to the 11 February, 1999, meeting of Labor Council."
Com. D. Reiss seconded and spoke to the addendum.
Com. N. Lewocki spoke to the addendum.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.52 PM
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