Meeting held : 10 December 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 10TH DECEMBER, 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, (Executive Officer).
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. C. O'Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:
For this evening's meeting:
From Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - appointing P. Jones in place of M. Brown.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted from: G. Gregory, N. Steer, B. Johnson, J. Hennessy, B. King, S. Moait, R. Collison, W. Maxwell.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - informing Labor Council of the outcome of proceedings in the Supreme Court involving fashion manufacturer, Brian Rochford and the Union. The Union advised that this matter related to the TCFUA seeking the reinstatement of an employee who had been terminated by an administrator appointed to the Company. The Union stated that the matter had been before the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales, and the conciliation process had commenced, when the administrator took action in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The TCFUA said that the administrator had been successful in his application to restrain the union from progressing its case, claiming it had been in breach of Section 44D of the Corporation's Law. The Union believed this matter affected the entire union movement and requested that Labor Council advise all affiliates of this decision and its implications. Further the Union requested that Council convene a meeting of affiliates to consider funding an appeal to this decision.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council convene a meeting of affiliates to consider the implications of the decision and potential sharing of costs."
Com. B. Tubner seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From Sydney Institute of Technology - inviting a Labor Council Officer to join the Steering Group of the Class Support Project which had recently been established.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Executive Assistant Michael Gadiel be nominated to the Steering Group."
Com. M. Thistlethwaite seconded.
CARRIED
3. From Transport Workers' Union of Australia - giving Labor Council details of a peaceful protest to be held at Orange on 19 December, 1998, at 10.00am. The Union advised that this protest had been the result of a TWU member, who had been employed by Whites Westrans in Orange, being terminated because he would not sign an individual contract. The Union stated that its member had been asked to sign one of Peter Reith's Australian Workplace Agreements and had refused because he would have been significantly worse off, particularly in relation to leave he was entitled to under the award.
The TWU advised that the matter was before the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission and requested that Labor Council urge affiliates, with members in the Orange region, to attend the peaceful protest and show that the union movement would not accept individual agreements and would not tolerate fellow members being victimised for not agreeing with the boss.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council encourage affiliates to attend the peaceful protest."
Com. A. Sheldon seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From Federated Municipal and Shire Council Employees' Union of Australia, New South Wales Division - noting that Labor Council had held a meeting of affiliates today to discuss industrial relations reform proposals for consideration by the Carr Labor Government on re-election in 1999. The Union enclosed a copy of correspondence forwarded to the Premier outlining specific reform proposals put forward by the MEU. The Union sought the support of Labor Council in relation to these proposals.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council support the union in this matter."
Com. B. Harris seconded.
CARRIED
5. From Transport Workers' Union of Australia - expressing the concern of many of its members regarding the amalgamation plans proposed by the four major banking institutions. The Union said its members were concerned that as a result of amalgamation, they would face even higher fees and charges than at present. The TWU stated that its members were already dissatisfied with the services offered, particularly with the recent bank closures all over the State, and if amalgamation were to occur, all workers would be further disadvantaged by significant increases in fees and charges. The Union called on the support of Labor Council, and its affiliates, to oppose any amalgamation and convene a meeting of all interested parties.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council convene a meeting of affiliates to consider a campaign opposing bank mergers.."
Com. S. Cain seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the Federated Municipal and Shire Council Employees' Union of Australia, New South Wales Division - seeking an urgent meeting in relation to a potential demarcation dispute between the Union and the Australian Workers Union at an aquatic centre located in Western Sydney.
Com. Costa moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and the meeting be arranged, as requested."
Com. B. Harris seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa, thanked Labor Council delegates for their support throughout 1998. He said it was encouraging to see good attendance during the year. He also thanked the Executive Members for their contribution and involvement, and the Officers of Labor Council for their tireless efforts this year.
Com. Costa, particularly thanked the President, Com. J. Whelan, for his support during the transition this year when Com. Peter Sams left the Labor Council to go to the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission.
Com. Costa further thanked the Labor Council staff and wished all delegates and their families all the best for the festive season.
The Secretary, Com. M. Costa advised delegates that tonight had been the last meeting for 1998 and that Labor Council would reconvene on Thursday, 4 February, 1999.
The President, Com. J. Whelan, thanked delegates for their support and also thanked Secretary Michael Costa for his hard work during 1998.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.30PM
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