Meeting held : 11 October 2007
Chair of Meeting: The President, Comrade. Sandra Moait
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2007
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:05 PM
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT:- J. Robertson [Secretary] C. Christodoulou, M. Thistlethwaite, A. Peters (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
OPENING
OF THE
MEETING: - The President, Com. S. Moait 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 Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. M. Issanchon seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Lennon, C. Gambian, A. Ferguson, F. Barnes, J. Diamond, D. Williams, B. Parker.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch: - advising Unions NSW that the CFMEU would again hold the Women's Pink Ribbon Breakfast which raises money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The Union said that last year's event was an enormous success. They advised that the Breakfast this year would be held on Thursday, 25th October 2007 and extended an invitation to all women unionists to attend and support this worthy cause.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that the CFMEU Women's Pink ribbon Breakfast to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation be endorsed and affiliates be encouraged to attend."
Com. P. McClelland seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines & Utilities Union: - regarding a report published by Professor Alison Preston of Women in Social & Economic Research at Curtin University which further enforces research released last week by the Workplace Research Centre at the University of Sydney "Australia @ Work". They said that Professor Preston's research revealed that low skilled workers on AWA's earn significantly less than those on Union Collective Agreements. The Union said that Australia @ Work research revealed that low paid workers on AWA's were paid over $100.00 per week less than their peers on Union Collective Agreements. They said that Professor Preston's study disclosed that non-management workers on AWA's earned $76 per week less than their counterparts and female workers on AWA's weekly earnings were around $110.00 less than those on Collective Agreements. Professor Preston had analysed data from the ABS earnings data collected last May 2006, the same data Minister Hockey continues to misrepresent. The Union said that Workplace Authority boss, Barbara Bennett had rejected approaches by two researchers in recent months denying them access to samples of AWA's to analyse the data citing privacy concerns. The Union said they were extremely concerned that research conducted, analysed and published by competent researchers was condemned by Minister Hockey, Prime Minister Howard and others, the authors demonised and yet the Government won't allow the same researchers access to the Government's data files. They said that both the
abovementioned publications confirmed why the Howard Government refuses access to the government's data files and that Minister Hockey and
others had been caught out again for their duplicitous behaviour. The Union requested that Minister Hockey be invited to a meeting of Unions NSW to debate the outcome of Australia @ Work and Professor Preston's work prior to the election.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW calls upon Minister Hockey to agree to a public debate with the Secretary of Unions NSW in relation to the outcome of recent public research (including Australia @ Work) of the WorkChoices Legislation and its effects on working people."
Com. M. Stuart seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch and the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, CEPU Plumbing Division: - advising Unions NSW that local unionised companies had approached their Wollongong Offices regarding the non-payment of contracts by a company known as Apex Constructions/Allied Acquisitions. They said that amounts owed were in excess of one million dollars and they feared that many legitimate businesses would be destroyed as a consequence. The unions said that these businesses had advised that they had sought to exercise their rights under the building industry's security of payments legislation however that had proven to be inadequate to protect them. The unions requested that Unions NSW approach the relevant Minister to enquire into the matter with a view to making necessary changes to the said legislation or to investigate generally ways to ensure that legitimate building companies were not subject to unfair practices carried out by dishonest builders operating in the state of NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions write to the Minister for Industrial Relations to request a review of the Building Industry Security of Payments legislation.
Further, such a review should ensure that the objects of the legislation which are to protect the rights of legitimate building companies and their employees from dishonest practices in the building industry are sustained."
Com. P. McClelland seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union, NSW Branch:- expressing their concern regarding a proposed non-union agreement which affects the Lobethal Abattoir in South Australia and the advice from Barbara Bennett, Director of the Workplace Authority which asserts in pre-lodgement advice that the agreement passes the Fairness Test. The Union said that clearly, in terms of their own analysis, many workers were left up to $88 per week worse off in their take home pay as a consequence of a range of conditions being abolished including penalty rates, shift loadings and overtime. They said that the Government's million dollar advertising campaign promoting it's so called "fairness test" was both misleading and ineffectual in protecting workers' rights against John Howard's extreme WorkChoices laws. The Union said only unions in the end can properly and independently represent the interests of all workers and that they would continue to condemn John Howard's extreme WorkChoices laws.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW joins the AMIEU in condemning John Howard's WorkChoices laws and calls upon all unions to maximise their efforts to defeat the Howard Government and to have WorkChoices repealed."
Com. P. Fernandez seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch:- advising Unions NSW of a dispute which began in South Korea in March 2006 when 21 unionised workers working for a company called Woojin (an in-house contractor to Lafarge Hall Cement), were threatened with immediate termination by Woojin. Woojin management had received an "Estimate Request for Business Management Adjustment" from Lafarge when they became aware that the workers had joined a union affiliated to the Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Unions which in effect threatened to shut Woojin if it remained unionised. The Union said that these workers were suffering exploitative wages at less than half those paid to the directly engaged employees in that plant which meant that the Woojin workers were forced to work dangerous levels of overtime to make a liveable wage. They said that eleven of these workers did not bow to the intimidation and refused to resign from their union. They were sacked immediately and Lafarge shut down Woojin to avoid any possibility that they may be reinstated by Korean labour authorities. The Union advised that four of those workers were currently protesting outside Lafarge's HQ in Paris and that in solidarity the CFMEU was planning a protest on Wednesday, 17th October at 10.00am outside Lafarge's Australian factory at 31 Military Road, Matraville.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW expresses its solidarity with the workers of Lafarge Hall Cement in Paris with respect to exercising their right to improve their working conditions.
Further, Unions NSW encourage affiliates to support a solidarity protest outside the Lafarge Australian Factory next Wednesday at 10.00am, 31 Military Road, Matraville."
Com. P. McClelland seconded the resolution.
Com. Hamish Quinn spoke.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Returning Officer's Report
The Returning Officer, Com. V. Falconer advised that at the close of nominations at 4p.m today for the positions of 1 Vice President, 1 Deputy Assistant Secretary and 1 Trades Hall Committee Member, the following nominations were received:-.
• Vice President - 1 Nomination - Sally McManus
• Deputy Assistant Secretary - 1 Nomination - Amanda Tattersall
• Trades Hall Committee Member - 1 Nomination - Geoff Derrick
The Returning Officer therefore declared Sally McManus elected unopposed as a Vice President, Amanda Tattersall unopposed as a Deputy Assistant Secretary and Geoff Derrick unopposed as a Trades Hall Committee Member.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and that S. McManus, A. Tattersall and G. Derrick be congratulated on their election."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
2. Campaign Report
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson advised that the Rudd Petition Campaign was going well and that over 59,000 signatures had been collected so far.
Com. Robertson advised that the Bus Trip last week which took in the seats of Paterson, Dobell and Robertson had been successful and that workplace visits and community meetings had been well attended. Further bus trips are being arranged to the seats of Cowper, Page, Paterson, Gilmore, Macarthur and Hughes and that details would be circulated to affiliates.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Peace Walk For Burma
Saturday, 13th October, 2007 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Martin Place Sydney (behind the fountain)
A peace walk led by Burmese Buddhist monks to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a symbolic ceremony tying red ribbons on a tree in memory of those who continue to suffer in Burma. For further information contact Myint Cho on 0404 091 143, Jamie Parker on 0418 428 089 or Kate Lee on 0419 684 758.
2. Parramatta YR@W Stall in Parramatta Mall
Saturday 13th October 2007 10a.m - 2p.m
Volunteers are required for the Stall. If you are able to help contact Phil Sandford on 0429 015 798
3. Central Coast YR@W Group
Rockin' For Your Rights - Live Concert
(Drug & Alcohol Free)
Saturday, 13th October 2007 1pm - 6pm
(Gates Open at 12 Noon) Tickets available at the Gate.
Mt. Penang Parklands, Kariong (A Free bus will run from Gosford Station from 10.00am.)
4. The City of Sydney Spring Cycle will take place going from North Sydney to Sydney Olympic Park. Sunday, 21st October 2007 Following the success of the City to 'Gong bike ride it is proposed that a YRAW group take part in this event which is supporting the MS Society. Further information is available on www.springcycle.com.au. If you are interested please contact Alison Peters at a.peters@unionsnsw.org.au or (02) 9881 5999.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 50PM
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