Meeting held : 10 July 2008
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Comrade Barry Johnson
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 10TH JULY 2008
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:03 PM
The Acting President Com. B. Johnson occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - J. Robertson [Secretary] M. Lennon [Assistant Secretary],
C. Christodoulou, A. Tattersall, (Deputy Assistant Secretaries).
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. M. Boyd seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. M. Thomson seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Thistlethwaite, A. Kerslake S. Moait, C. Game, B. Kruse, B. Holmes, J. Fitzpatrick, C. Haigh and F. Barnes.
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. L. Carruthers seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Australian Workers' Union, Greater New South Wales Branch:- regarding the issue of superannuation payments for employees on Workers Compensation which the secretary had raised at the Superannuation Forum on Wednesday 9th July. The union said that injured workers receiving compensation do not have superannuation contributions paid into their superannuation fund. They said that it was their view that this was unfair as workers should not be financially disadvantaged in any way whilst on workers compensation. The secretary said that when he raised the issue with the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law at the Forum he was supportive of the issue in principle but was not aware of the details. This is something which could be overcome by the federal government amending legislation to define workers compensation payments as income for the purposes of superannuation contributions. The union requested Unions NSW formally raise the issue with the federal government and seek that this inequity is addressed.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the concerns of the AWU regarding super payments for workers compensation recipients and seek the federal government remedy the matter as requested."
Com. C. Bodnar seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority:- inviting Unions NSW to nominate a representative for the Roads and Traffic Advisory Council (RTAC) for the next term of the Council. The Council said they had valued the input of Unions NSW into the RTA's activities through their current representative whose term expires on 31st July 2008.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW liaise with transport unions regarding a representative on the Roads & traffic Advisory Council (RTAC)."
Com. M Boyd seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Rail Tram and Bus Union, NSW Branch:- regarding the release of the draft Garnaut Report which has again highlighted the need for swift action on climate change. The union said that whilst we hope the Federal Government quickly moves on the establishment of an Emissions Trading Scheme, the issues were complex and there was much detail to be worked through. They said however, there were always steps at a local level that could be taken to help to address the issue. To this end, it was their belief that all homes, businesses and organisations should be working towards making themselves carbon neutral. In particular, trade unions who were at the forefront of this issue, should be seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. The RTBU requested Unions NSW forward to their affiliates any information they acquire on the issue of making their union carbon neutral as a means of taking some positive steps in the challenge that confronts us with climate change.
Com. J. Robertson moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW distribute information to affiliates regarding making unions carbon neutral as requested."
Com. L. Carruthers seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch:- regarding World Youth Day. The union said that Sydney had proven itself over the last decade to be a first class city when it came to hosting major events such as the Olympics and the Rugby World Cup. They said they were sure that Sydney would again make World Youth Day a memorable event over the next 10 days. The ETU said that what has to be remembered with any of these events that it was the workers of NSW who delivered, whether it was by members of the ETU or workers in retail, health, transport, airline, community or other sectors. All workers endeavour to ensure that visitors to our shores had a successful and enjoyable time in Sydney. The union said that they hoped that the shock jocks and other media commentators plus some in the State Labor Government remembered this next time they attack unions.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW note the comments about the positive role NSW workers have played and will continue to play in major events in this state."
Com. M. Stylli seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Rail Dispute
The Secretary, Com. J. Robertson gave an update on the rail dispute. He said that the negotiations had been proceeding reasonably well but there were some outstanding issues. Com. Robertson said one deplorable aspect of the week's activities was the media treatment of the RTBU's Nick Lewocki. He said Com. Lewocki had been unfairly vilified in the press over his role in the dispute when he was simply doing his job.
In closing, Com. Robertson said Unions NSW and all unions should offer their support to Nick as he continues to represent his member's interests.
Com. J. Robertson moved:-
"That the report be received and noted and Unions NSW
offer its support to Nick Lewocki for the role he has played
in the rail dispute."
Com. L. Carruthers seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6:17PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
