Meeting held : 15 May 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 15TH MAY 2008
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00 PM
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: M. Lennon [Acting Secretary], C. Christodoulou, (Deputy Assistant Secretary.
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 Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. G. Derrick seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch, appointing: - P. Murray in place of N. Allen.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the credential be received and the delegate welcomed".
Com. R. Mallia seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - J. Robertson, M. Thistlethwaite, A. Tattersall, A. Kerslake, C. Game, N. Allen, S. Edsall, L. Hankinson, J. Diamond, C. O'Sheades, B. Smith, B. Holmes, B. Kruse, A. Claassens.
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. J. Lloyd seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Deputy Director-General, NSW TAFE and Community Education:- Providing an update on initiatives underway in TAFE NSW. The Deputy Director-General said that public consultations on changes to TAFE NSW conducted in November 2007 and February 2008 generated wide-ranging input and support and contributed a wealth of ideas for the improvement of TAFE services for learners, industry and the community. She went on to say that work on the TAFE 21st Century reform commitments has started with $1 million already invested to commence implementation of the TAFE NSW Workforce Development Guarantee. She said work is also underway on business and learning system developments and simplification of internal processes, and that as part of the next stage of the reform process she had released for internal consultation proposed changes to the central support structures.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and details of the consultation processes for changes to TAFE be circulated to affiliates for their information.
Further Unions NSW continue to raise concerns about the TAFE restructure."
Com. J. Lloyd seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the NSW Retired Teachers' Association:- Calling upon Unions NSW to maintain its firm opposition to the sale of electricity services and infrastructure to the private sector. The Association said that to not do so would be a betrayal of all the rank-and file unionists, pensioners, community members, low-income workers, people on fixed incomes and community organisations who have supported Union NSW's campaign. The Association said it rejected the possibility of "compromise" and they were deeply disturbed by the reports of behind-the-scenes discussions now taking place. Further, they said the overwhelming defeat of the State Government's policy at State Conference was out in the open and subsequent discussion should also remain in the public arena.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW continue to support the campaign of opposition to the NSW Electricity Privatisation proposals."
-
Com. F. Barnes seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Finance Sector Union, New South Wales Branch:- Requesting Unions NSW and its affiliates to assist and support the FSU led campaign to prevent Westpac from taking over St George Bank. The Union said the proposed takeover is predicted to cost up to 5,000 jobs - most of which would be in NSW as both banks have corporate headquarters in Sydney, and of the 170 St George branches in NSW, 148 are in the same suburbs and towns as Westpac. The Union stated that removing competition between these two banks would lead to a serious reduction in consumer choice and contribute to a further concentration of economic power in the industry and national economy, and this is not in the national interest.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the FSU's campaign of opposition to the Westpac/St George merger which is clearly not the in the interests of consumers or the nation at large."
Com. G. Derrick seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the NSW Nurses' Association:- Providing details of their Fair Conditions. Fair Pay. Nurses Stay. It's That Simple Claim. The Nurses said the people of NSW deserve a world class public health system and to achieve this a stronger and more sustainable nursing and midwifery workforce was needed. They said that this claim is a solution to help them get there and details the views and hopes of the nursing profession for their future and that of the public health system. They stated that:
• Nurses and midwives need real recognition and better pay for their increased workloads and responsibilities
• They need better attraction and retention initiatives so there will be safer workplaces for staff and patients and more experienced nurses to support and supervise trainee and developing staff
• Nurses and midwives are the largest profession within the public health system and their work is complex
• Nurses and midwives are the backbone of the NW public health system
The Union went on to say more needs to be done to attract and retain enough experienced nurses and midwives to care for the growing and ageing population, and urgent reforms to pay and conditions are needed to achieve this. They said 2008 is a "once in four year" opportunity for the NSW government to make a difference by adopting these solutions
In conclusion, the NSWNA asked for the support of Unions NSW and affiliates to promote and support the campaign.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW endorse the NSW Nurses' Association Fair Conditions Campaign.
Further, Unions NSW circulate the enclosed letter to all affiliates and Rights At Work groups as requested."
Com. J. Kiejda seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, New South Wales Branch:- Thanking Unions NSW Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, for the stance he took on the issue of wage increases during an interview on the 7.30 Report. The Union said that the majority of its members are low paid workers in low paid industries and to accept anything less than the CPI creates more hardship for these workers and their families. The Union said this is why they are campaigning for better jobs in their Better Jobs - Better Hotels Campaign as currently the industry is enjoying record room occupancies and room rates but workers are paid the minimum rate. They said that the hospitality industry can afford to pay more than a CPI increase and also that it could afford to pay more than the AFPC increase. The Union congratulated Unions NSW on its stance and said they looked forward to winning their Better Jobs - Better Hotels Campaign.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reiterates its position that Unions will bargain to ensure that real wages are maintained to keep pace with rising petrol, food and housing costs.
Further, Unions NSW calls on CEOs and Directors to limit their wage increases to that of the general workforce."
Com. J. Lloyd seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Rail Tram and Bus Union, New South Wales Branch:- Regarding the first Federal Labor Budget in 12 years which resulted in a $21.7 billion cash surplus, and according to the Prime Minister was designed to address inflation and reduce pressure on interest rates. The Union said it welcomed the creation of the $20 billion Building Australia Fund and the establishment of Infrastructure Australia. The Union said that the Rudd Government's land transport strategies will ensure that ports, road and rail infrastructure will now receive funding to deal with the congestion and bottlenecks that add to freight costs. However, it went on to say that Federal Labor must give careful consideration to providing assistance to State and Local Government for urban passenger transport particularly for the western and south western regions of Sydney. The RTBU said it welcomed the Government's increase in the Medicare levy low income threshold, and said it supported those initiatives in the budget which will ensure the wellbeing of working families, however, it was disappointed that more was not done for pensioners.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW welcome the initiatives in the Budget for working families and also to enhance the nation's economic capacity, but adds its voice to the chorus of concern that more was not done or pensioners."
Com. N. Lewocki seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Electricity Privatisation
The Acting Secretary, Com. M. Lennon reported on the meeting of electricity delegates on the anti-privatisation campaign and circulated the resolution passed at the delegates' meeting held earlier today.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. E. Brindley seconded.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 40PM
President: ____________________________________
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