Meeting held : 09 August 2007
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Comrade Michael Want
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 9TH AUGUST 2007
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:05 PM
The Acting President Com. M. Want occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - M. Lennon [Acting Secretary], A. Peters (Deputy Assistant Secretary).
OPENING
OF THE
MEETING: The Acting President, Com. M. Want opened the meeting by recognising the traditional owners of the land on which the meeting was being held the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.
MINUTES: -
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. M. O'Halloran seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:
From The New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities appointing: - J. Goodwin in place of B. Kruse.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. G. College seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted for: - S. Moait, J. Robertson, C. Christodoulou, M. Thistlethwaite, B. Kruse, M. Stuart, J. Kiejda, B. Holmes, S. Edsall, C. O'Sheades, J. Diamond, A. Claassens, V. Higgins, P. Jenkins, B. Parker.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Hon. John Della Bosca MLC, Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for the Central Coast, Minister Assisting the Minister for Finance:- advising Unions NSW that in 2006 the NSW Government released the NSW Human Influenza Pandemic Plan to identify measures and mitigating strategies to protect the community and minimise the impact of a pandemic on NSW. The Minister said he was pleased to advise that the Office of Industrial Relations had worked with the Commonwealth, States and Territories to develop complementary resources to assist employers and employees to assist in the management of workplace issues in the event of a human influenza pandemic.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and details of the Workplace Guide to managing the Influenza Pandemic be circulated to Public Sector Unions for their information."
Com. M. Thomson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch:- requesting the support of Unions NSW and affiliates for a Cuba Solidarity Dinner being held on Saturday, 18th August 2007. The Union said that affiliates would be aware of the desperate and deteriorating situation in East Timor, however less well known was the
outstanding humanitarian contribution being made by Cuba to East Timor's health care effort.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the attached leaflet regarding the Cuban Solidarity Dinner be circulated to affiliates as requested."
Com. G. Preston seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Director General, Public Employment Office:- advising Unions NSW that the NSW Government had endorsed the recommendations of the Council on the Cost and Quality of Government (CCQG) Review of Recruitment Practices in the NSW Public Sector. The Director General said that previous consultations with unions broadly supported the overall direction proposed by CCQG to introduce a new sector wide recruitment system, underpinned by faster more streamlined e recruitment processes. She said that her department had been charged with implementing the recommendations and that as part of that process would appreciate the opportunity for senior officers to meet with public sector unions to brief them on the detail of the findings and the recommendations. The main finding from the Review was that the public sector needed to position itself better in the tightening labour market by making full use of the efficiencies offered by e recruitment and removing any unnecessary and time consuming processes. Strong themes were needed to promote the public sector as an employer of choice and to integrate recruitment and retention strategies as part of strategic resource management and workforce planning. Overall the changes were intended to make recruitment in the sector faster and more flexible, giving more options to Department heads in line with workforce demands.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a briefing regarding the Public Sector Recruitment Review be organised with Public Sector affiliates as requested."
Com. M. O'Halloran seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union:- advising Unions NSW of the decision by Business to support the Howard Government's WorkChoices Legislation through an advertising campaign. They said that the Business Council of Australia was spearheading the campaign and that
the Howard Government had turned the BCA's Industrial Relations Policy into legislation, that is the WorkChoices anti worker, anti family legislation. The Union said that the Howard Government's legislation enables the Employer to have absolute control over terms and conditions of employment at the workplace. It removes the rights at work of employees, particularly good faith bargaining, consultation about workplace change that could have significant effects on employees job and income security and unfair dismissal. The Union reiterated that the CEO's and others employed by the big Corporations were doing very well out of the laws. The Union advised that they see the advertising campaign by the big Corporations as pay back to the Howard Government for their massive pay packets at the expense of the majority of workers who struggle to make ends meet to support their families. They said that affiliates should continue the Rights At Work Campaign with a view to dumping these unfair laws and introduce legislation which would ensure working families received a fair go at work and a reasonable share of the profits as a result of their labour.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and in light of the employers advertisements supporting WorkChoices, Unions NSW and its affiliates reaffirm our commitment to continue the Rights At Work Campaign to get rid of the Federal Government's extreme workplace laws."
Com. L. Fraser seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
The Business advertisement was shown to delegates.
5. From the North West Your Rights At Work Community Action Group:- advising Unions NSW that the Northwest Region Your Rights At Work group would be attending the Lions Club Market Day at Richmond Park on Saturday, 11th August 2007 from 7.30am to 4.00pm. The group said that their objective was to engage the community with a view to their understanding of WorkChoices and endeavour to have the Unions NSW petition signed.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW advise affiliates of the North West YR@W group's attendance at the Lions Club Market Day at Richmond Park on Saturday, 11th August and encourage affiliates to attend and support the group."
Com. S. King seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Australian Workers Union, Greater NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW of the announcement by the Minister for Gaming and Racing in NSW of significant reforms to the NSW Racing Industry. The Union said that these reforms would include the establishment of a new racing industry consultation group (RICG). The RICG replaces the Racing Industry Participant's Advisory Council (RIPAC). RIPAC is made up of industry participants, including the union movement representing approximately 30,000 employees in the industry. They said that today they were shocked to learn that the union movement would no longer be represented on the new RICG, however all other industry participants including owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys would maintain their membership and continue to have a voice in the governance of racing in NSW. The AWU said that union representation on such a consultative body provided an important voice for workers in the industry on matters such as occupational health and safety, working conditions, facilities and licensing arrangements. They said that many of these workers were low paid, low skill employees who lacked a capacity to bargain effectively in their individual workplaces and relied on union involvement in the industry to advance their interests. These people are often the silent majority in the industry and include strappers and stable hands, barrier attendants, track riders and race day staff. The union said they believe that it is a significant backward step for these people to lose representation on such an important industry body and requested that an urgent meeting with the Racing Minister be arranged to discuss their concerns regarding the loss of representation for workers in industry governance.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW arrange an urgent meeting with the Minister for Gaming and Racing as requested."
Com. V. Falconer seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Campaign Report
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon reported that despite an intensive advertising campaign about the WorkChoices regime the Federal Government remained on the back foot. This was because people know the reality for workers under this extreme legislation and no longer trust John Howard on this issue he said.
2. Eden Monaro Bus Trip
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon advised delegates that the bus trip through Eden - Monaro was going well.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the reports be received and noted."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. ABC TV PROGRAM "Difference of Opinion"
The program for tonight Thursday 9th August is looking at the IR Laws. Program starts at 9.25p.m.
2. Parramatta YR@W Group Street Stall
Friday, 10th August 2007 (Probably in the Mall)
12 Noon - 2.00p.m.
For further information please contact Mary Yaager on 9881 5918 or
0408 931 899
3. Doorknocking in Seat of Lindsay -Rudd Petition
Saturday11th August 2007
If you can help out, please arrive at the Rights at Work Campaign Office, corner Woodriff Street and Union Lane Penrith, at 9am. For further info call Sharon Vassar on 0407 894 930.
4. Liverpool YR@W Committee
Next YR@W Liverpool Committee Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, 14th August, 2007
7.30p.m. at Wattle Grove Youth Centre, Australis Avenue
For further information contact Chip Eling on 0419 288 878 or Email: chip.eling@amwu.asn.au.
5. SBS Television Program
SBS's "Insight" program Tuesday, 14th August at 7.30pm will be looking at the issues in Bennelong in the lead up to the election and will feature people from the Prime Minister's Electorate talking about their views.
6. Sutherland Shire YR@w Community Group
Federal Election Campaign Launch
Sutherland District Trade Union Club (Tradies
57 Manchester Road, The Kingsway, Gymea.
Wednesday, 15th August 2007 at 7.30p.m.
Guest SpeakerS: John Robertson, Secretary, Union NSW
Greg Holland, Labor Candidate for Hughes &
David Shoebridge, Greens Candidate NSW Senate.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 25PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
