Meeting held : 07 February 2008
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 7TH FEBRUARY 2008
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:05PM
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
C. Christodoulou, M. Thistlethwaite, A. Tattersall (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. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch appointing:- S. Crawford in place of S. Bali and L. Heaney in place of V. Falconer.
FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch appointing:- R. Collison, S. Bali, N. Allen, V. Falconer, C. Bodnar, S. Rumph, Paul Farrow and Alternates L. Heaney, S. Crawford, G. Hillier,T. Mitchell, G. Beard and K. Brown.
From The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers, Australia, Transport Division appointing:- C. Bolger.
From The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers, Australia, Collieries' Division appointing K. Rooke.
From The Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union, New South Wales Branch appointing:- C. Donzow, P. Fernandez, D. Williams and Alternates P. Usher and M. Perkins.
From The Communications, Electrical Electronic Energy Information Postal Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia, NSW Postal & Telecommunications Branch appointing:- S. King, G. McKay, J. Metcher, S. Sheather, S. Murphy and Alternates N. Lee, N. Metcher and A. Stockdale.
From The Communications, Electrical Electronic Energy Information Postal Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia, NSW Telecommunications & Services Branch appointing:- I. McCarthy and J. Armitt.
From The Construction, Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, New South Wales Branch appointing:- R. Malia, G. Preston, M. Wyer, S. Edward, T. Papconstuntinos, P. McClelland, A. Ferguson, B. Parker and S. Woodward.
From The National Union of Workers, New South Wales Branch, appointing:- D. Belan, W. Meaney, M. Issanchon, S. Cain, R. Herbert, C. Morgan, M. Cochrane, J. Cody and Alternates M. Bernardi, S. Mueller, B. Mendonca, N. Belan, M. Ptolemy and N. Livingstone.
From The NSW Teachers Federation appointing:- J. Irving, F. Barnes, P. Bradley, S. Callan, P. De Graaf, J. Diamond, J. Dixon, S. Edsall, L. Hankinson, J. Hannaford, R. Hewett, J.Lemaire, B. Lipscombe, D. Long, M. O'Halloran, C. O'Sheades, B. Seymour, M. Sharkey, Linda Simon, T. Bougatsas, T. Moriarty and Alternate B. Johnson
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch appointing:- B. Tubner, S. Davies and P. Lane.
From The Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association, New South Wales Branch appointing:- G. Dwyer, B. Smith, E. Cody, J. Knight, D. Bliss, M. Zadow, B. Govind, C. Haigh, W. Hickey, J. Taylor, B. Hawkins and B. Collins.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - P. Bastian, B. Kruse and C. Drane.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
GUEST SPEAKER:
The President, Com. S. Moait, introduced Mitch from the Luritja and Eastern Arrernte clans from around Alice Springs speaking about the Northern Territory Intervention program.
Mitch spoke on the problems confronting indigenous people in the Northern Territory following the intervention. She said the quarantining of half the welfare payments had caused particular problems. She said it was very difficult for people to budget when Centrelink is telling you how half your money will be spent.
The closure of the CEDP program has caused particular problems amongst young people who are now unemployed. This she believes has increased the level of suicide amongst the young.
Mitch said any breach of the new laws can see the person's pension benefit cut off for up to 8 weeks. She said there are other significant problems for the indigenous population as a result of the intervention. The issue, she said despite what you hear had brought black and white together. In closing, she asked affiliates to consider the real consequences of the intervention.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson thanked Mitch for enlightening us on the consequences of the intervention. He said it was important that the stories get out into the public domain.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From Sonia Minutillo, Assistant Secretary, Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, New South Wales Branch:- advising Unions NSW of her resignation from the position of Assistant Secretary of the NSW Branch of LHMU and also as a member of the Unions NSW Executive. She said she had greatly appreciated the opportunity and privilege to have been a part of such a strong and leading organisation and wished the Officers and affiliates of Unions NSW continued success on behalf of the workers of NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the resignation of Com. Minutillo from the Executive be received and accepted with regret and that thanks of Unions NSW be forwarded to Sonia for her support over the years."
Com. M. Stuart seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the NSW Teachers Federation:- expressing how proud the Federation was to have been involved in every facet of the "Your Rights At Work" campaign organised by Unions NSW and its affiliates to defeat the nefarious WorkChoices legislation introduced and promulgated by the former federal Coalition Government. They said that the union movement had been instrumental in a great victory for all workers and the community in general. The Federation said that along with all other affiliates they were aware that the union movement would continue the need to be vigilant to ensure that all elements of the WorkChoices agenda were scrapped. They said that union and community pressure would need to be maintained on all political parties as well as Coalition Senators who currently hold the balance of power until the end of June 2008. The Federation called upon Unions NSW to organise a "Day of Union and Community Action" to repeal all WorkChoices and proposed that Thursday, May 1, 2008 (May Day) be used as a rallying date.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and a proposal for a day of union and community action be referred to a meeting of affiliates for consideration."
Com. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
3. From Unions Riverina:- advising Unions NSW that for several years the Wagga Wagga and District Trades and Labour Council has been inactive. They said that in late 2006 several local union branches had come together and revived the council, collected dues and elected office bearers. In 2007 they had revised their constitution and agreed to change the name of the Council to Unions Riverina. They advised that they wished to remain affiliated to Unions NSW.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the re-establishment of the Wagga Wagga Trades & Labor Council as Unions Riverina be noted and affiliates be advised of the details of the new organisation."
Com. P. Farrow seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the National Tertiary Education Union, New South Wales Branch:- advising Unions NSW that during the week two very significant events had occurred which demonstrate the success of the NTEU in its fight against the impacts of WorkChoices legislation on the higher education sector. The union said that on Tuesday evening the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, announced the forthcoming repeal of the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs) in the autumn session of Parliament. They said that Ms Gillard described the HEWRRs as the "worst manifestation" of WorkChoices applied to this sector, and that she formally declared that all universities were presently compliant with the HEWRRs, thus guaranteeing federal funding for 2008. In addition, Ms Gillard announced that no longer would future funding in the sector be linked to the previous government's insistence on the use of AWAs. The NTEU said that the repeal of the HEWRRs was a significant victory for the NTEU campaign conducted since April 2005. They said that on Wednesday the NTEU National Executive formally endorsed a Deed of Settlement arising out of the Federal Court challenge by an NTEU member against the University of Ballarat in Victoria. The NTEU has contended all along that the University breached the then Enterprise Agreement by forcing staff onto AWAs. They said that the Deed of Settlement allowed for all staff currently on AWAs to request termination of the AWA and return to coverage under the Union Collective Agreement and that such a request cannot be refused by the employer. The union said that both these events illustrate the ongoing dismantling of the draconian WorkChoices legislation and demonstrated the success of the NTEU in fighting the Howard government's attempts at destroying collective bargaining. The said that in the interim NTEU was placing pressure on those institutions that were still attempting to use this period (before the dismantling of the HEWRRs) to force staff onto AWAs - notably the University of Wollongong. The NTEU said they had appreciated all the assistance given to the NTEU by Unions NSW and all of its affiliates in supporting our anti-HEWRRs and anti-AWAs campaigns over the past 3 years. They also said that without such collective support they would never have achieved the results that have now been realised.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulate the NTEU for its committed and sustained campaign against the introduction of AWAs in the higher education sector.
Further, the Union's thanks be forwarded to affiliates for their support for the campaign."
Com. C. Game seconded the resolution
.
CARRIED
5. From the New South Wales Nurses' Association: - seek the support of Unions NSW with respect to their request to WorkCover to review the current policy of providing advice to employers instead of taking enforcement action even in the face of significant OHS risks. They advised that the association had written to the Chief Executive Officer, WorkCover NSW. The association said they would appreciate this matter being raised during any dealings Unions NSW had with WorkCover at the highest levels. They said that it was important to remind WorkCover of the reason for their existence, and to bring some common sense and effectiveness back to WorkCover's operations.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and the NSW Nurses' concerns about WorkCover's policy of advice to employers rather than enforcement action be raised with WorkCover at the highest levels as requested."
Com. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the NSW Teachers Federation:- advising Unions NSW of an announcement on 4th February by the NSW Minister for Education and Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca the end of teachers' right to transfer. The Federation said that if implemented this announcement sets in place a system where 2240 schools would compete against each other for qualified teachers and that some students and communities would be severely disadvantaged. The federation said that the Minister and the NSW Government know their staffing proposal is bad policy. They said that in March 2007, the previous Minister for Education said to a meeting of Federation's Council:
"The NSW Government takes responsibility for making sure that every school in NSW is staffed with experienced teachers and we will continue to do so. The Coalition will destroy the NSW Staffing Agreement. We know they tried in 1989 and their desire to do so has just got stronger with Howard's industrial relations fixation. They believe in an unfettered market and the result will be chaos. Schools in less favoured locations will be forced to accept what they can and in many cases they will not have sufficient staff. A deregulated workforce would change forever public education system but rather 2,240 schools pitted against each other. That is not the vision for public education that a Labor Government has."
The Federation said they were sad to advise delegates that the NSW Government's 2008 proposal for teachers mirrors the proposals put forward by John Howard to the Centre of Independent Studies in May 2007. They said that it is the transfer system which underpins a teacher's right to permanent employment, as distinct from limited tenure, contract-based employment. They also said that this was why John Howard intended to force states to give principals the right to veto transfers. John Howard lost but unfortunately John Della Bosca has taken forward the Howard industrial relations agenda for teachers. The Federations said that they would mount a sustained and significant campaign against the NSW Government's staffing announcement and requested the support of Unions NSW and affiliates for such a campaign.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the Teachers Federation's campaign against the State Government's decision to effectively end teachers' right of transfer."
Com. P. Bradley seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Appointment of Returning Officer & Assistant Returning Officers
for 2008
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson advised that:
"In accordance with Rule 24(h) of the Unions NSW Rules, I move that Council appoint Vern Falconer as the Returning Officer for the year 2008, and that Frank Barnes and Kath Sullivan be appointed as Assistant Returning Officers."
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
2. Unions NSW Nominations for Quadrennial Elections
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson advised that:
"I hereby advise in accordance with Rule 24 of Unions NSW Rules, nominations will open at 9.00a.m. on Friday, 8th February 2008 and close at 4.00pm on Thursday, 14th February 2008 for the following positions:
PRESIDENT: (1 to be elected)
VICE PRESIDENTS: (5) to be elected
TRUSTEES: (3) to be elected
SECRETARY: (1) to be elected
ASSISTANT SECRETARY: (1) to be elected
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARIES: (4) to be elected
GENERAL EXECUTIVE MEMBERS: (3) to be elected
ACTU EXECUTIVE MEMBER: (1) to be elected.
ACTU ALTERNATE EXECUTIVE MEMBER: (1) to be elected
ACTU CONGRESS DELEGATES: (2) to be elected
TRADES HALL COMMITTEE: (5) to be elected.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: (5) to be elected
DISPUTES COMMITTEE: (6) to be elected.
Nominations should be on the prescribed form available from the Assistant Secretary.
Should a ballot be necessary it will be held on Thursday, 21st February, 2008 between 5.00pm and 8.00pm at the Trades Hall."
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
3. Electricity Campaign
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Matt Thistlethwaite gave an update on the electricity campaign. Com. Thistlethwaite outlined the elements of the campaign including writing to MP's and the activation of the R@W Groups. He reported that the main event was a rally planned for Tuesday, 26th February outside Parliament House. He encouraged all affiliates to support the rally to show the government the level of opposition to the government's proposals.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. M. Want seconded.
CARRIED
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be adopted and the officers actions
to date be endorsed."
Com. M. Stylli seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. What Women Need - Conference for Centenary of International Women's Day
10th and 11th March 2008
Trades Hall Auditorium
Further information is available from Amanda Tattersall
a.tattersall@unionsnsw.org.au
2. Affiliates are invited to assemble at Parliament House in Canberra on
Wednesday, 13th February 2008 at 9.30am to acknowledge the apology to Australia's Indigenous People
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 42PM
President: ____________________________________
About Unions NSW
