Meeting held : 05 February 2009
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 5TH FEBRUARY 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00PM
The President Com. S. Moait occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - M. Lennon [Secretary], C. Christodoulou [Assistant Secretary].
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. N. Lewocki seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. B. Holmes seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch appointing:- N. Flores in place of P. Lane.
FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
From The Australian Services Union of New South Wales appointing:-
S. McManus, M. Flynn, J. Maher, H. Purse, N. Lang and G. Potter-Butler.
From: The Australasian Meat Industry Employers Union, NSW Branch appointing:- C. Donzow, P. Fernandez, D. Williams and as alternate delegates:- P. Usher, M. Perkins, C. Clark.
From The Association of Principles employed in Catholic Schools appointing:- Myree Ingle.
From The Communications Electrical Plumbing Union, NSW Postal & Telecommunications Branch appointing:- J. Metcher, S. Sheather, G. MacKay, S. Murphy, A. Stockdale and alternative delegates N. Metcher, E. Husic, B. J. Jafari, TK. Ly and G. Enzon.
From The Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, New South Wales Branch appointing:- A. Ferguson,
P. McClelland, M. Tulloch, R. Mallia, B. Parker, G. Preston and I. Gemmell.
From The Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing:-
B. Riordan, R. Smith, B. Maxwell, M. Stylli, P. Sinclair, D. Weizman and S. Robinson.
From The Funeral and Allied Industries of NSW appointing:- Aiden Nye.
From The Health Services Union, New South Wales Branch appointing:- C. McMillan, G. Tyrell, D. Ravlich, B. Goulding, B. Roberts,
T. Thorburn, A. Humphries, K. Seymour, G. Hayes, L. Gilchrist,
D. Lipman, F. Johnson, R. Millington, K. Sewell and B. Coquillon.
From The National Union of Workers appointing:- D. Belan, W. Meaney,
M. Issanchon, S. Cain, R. Herbert, C. Morgan, M.Cochrane, J.Cody and alternate delegates, M. Bernardi, S. Mueller, B. Mendonca,
N. Belan, N. Livingstone, J. Nero, G. Cripps and T. O'Donnell.
From The NSW Teachers Federation appointing:- F. Barnes, P. Bradley,
P. de Graaff, J. Diamond, J. Dixon, S. Edsall, L. Hankinson,
J. Hannaford, J. Iriving, J. Lemaire, B. Lipscombe, D. Long,
C. O'Sheades, B. Seymour, M. Sharkey, L. Smith, G. Zadkovich,
B. Johnson, J. Killen, M. O"Halloran and T. Moriarty.
From: The Real Estate Association of NSW appointing:- E. Lundberg.
From: The Rail Tram and Bus Union, NSW Branch appointing:- N. Lewocki, M. Cartwright, P. Kessey, D. Malone, A. Claassens, R. Baonza and
M. Morey
From The Shop Assistants and Warehouse Employees' Federation of Australia, Newcastle and Northern New South Wales appointing:-
B. Nebart, L. Wiebe, T. May, R. Singer, J. Freeman and L. Jenkins.
From: The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, NSW Branch appointing:- G. Dwyer, E. Cody, D. Bliss, R. Tonkli, W. Hickey, B. Hawkins, B. Smith, J. Knight, P. Walker, C. Haigh, J. Taylor and
B. Collins.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: -A. Kerslake, G. Kelly, A. Ferguson, J. Hannaford, L. Hankinson, C. O'Sheades, D. Long, C. Gambian, G. Dwyer.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. T. Moriarty seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the New South Wales Teachers Federation:- seeking the support of Unions NSW and its affiliates in their campaign to have Legislation introduced into the NSW Parliament guaranteeing the provision and access to education and training courses for inmates in the NSW correctional system and which provides a legislative right to participate in such programs outlined below:
"Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "Everyone has the right to education." Consistent with this, Article 6 of the United Nations Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners states that "All prisoners shall have the right to take part in cultural activities and education aimed at the full development of the human personality.
Recommendation No. R(89) on Education in Prison from the Council of Europe states that "All prisoners will have access to education, which is envisaged as consisting of class room subjects, vocational education, creative and cultural activities, physical education and sports, social education and library facilities," and that " Special attention should be given to those prisoners with reading and writing problems."
The Federation said that currently NSW has around 10,000 inmates in the adult correctional system and that many of these inmates had poor literacy, numeracy, communication skills and were early school leavers. They said that whilst the Department of Corrective Services provides education and vocational training courses for inmates, provision and access to these courses was not guaranteed in legislation and that inmates do not have a right to participate in educational courses whilst incarcerated. The Federation advised that in support of this campaign, that have printed postcards calling for legislative guarantees on education in correctional centres. The Federation said they have written to all NSW Members of Parliament concerning the campaign and advised that many MPs have indicated their support for legislation to be introduced into the NSW Parliament guaranteeing the provision and access to education and training courses for inmates and for the right to participate in such courses. The Federation requested that Unions NSW writes to the Premier and the new Minster for Corrective Services advising them that Unions NSW supports the NSW Teachers Federation's campaign and calling for the introduction of such legislation into NSW Parliament and also seeking their written response.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the "Everyone has the right to Education campaign" and that our support be conveyed to the Premier and Minister for Corrective Services".
Com. P. Bradley seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Community Justice Coalition:- inviting Unions NSW to become a Founder Benefactor of the Community Justice Coalition whose purpose is to work for the reform of the custodial sector of the NSW custodial system.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW become a member of the Community Justice Coalition."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Unions Construction and General Division, NSW Branch:- advising Unions NSW that the CFMEU and other building and construction unions of the difficulty they have had in gaining OH&S access to the John Hollands desalination project in Sydney. The union advised that on December 19 2008 CFMEU Assistant Secretary, Mal Tulloch sought to visit the site and was refused entry and contacted WorkCover NSW where he satisfied the WorkCover inspector that he was an accredited union officer, that he had a bona fide safety concern and that the company involved was covered by the NSW OH&S Act. He said the management of the site refused a request by the Workcover inspector to allow the CFMEU officer to exercise his rights under the NSW OH&S Act. The union said that this refusal was a serious threat to the jurisdiction of WorkCover NSW and NSW OH&S legislation. The CFMEU requested that Unions NSW organise an urgent conference with the relevant Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of WorkCover NSW to determine what the government intends to do in respect to the non-compliance by John Hollands. The union said that they have ongoing concerns with John Hollands as this company was presently being prosecuted by Comcare as a result of a fatality in Queensland last year. They said that there have already been a number of accidents on the desalination project which had the potential for loss of life. The union said that the State Government needs to act decisively with respect to their concerns.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW seek an urgent meeting with the State Government in relation to the John Hollands approach to OH&S and unions generally."
Com. M. Tulloch seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Unions Construction and General Division, NSW Branch:- expressing their outrage at the invasion of Gaza earlier this year and the massacre of 1000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were innocent civilians and the continued firing of rockets by Hamas. The CFMEU called upon Unions NSW to condemn the massacre and to continue with humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people. The union requested that Unions NSW urge the Federal Government to assist injured Palestinian children being transported to Australia for medical assistance and support.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reiterates its condemnation of all forms of violence and military activity associated with the Hamas and Israeli conflict
Further, we call upon the Federal Government to provide further assistance to the people of Gaza by allowing children with severe burns to be treated in Australia".
Com G. Preston seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, NSW Branch:- requesting Unions NSW call upon the NSW ALP Government to undertake an urgent review of the Shop Trading Act 2008 in order to protect retail workers and the community generally from further erosion of important public holiday rights.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive recommendation
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW expresses its grave concern at the erosion of Public Holiday rights for retail workers through the actions of the Director General of the Department of Commerce.
Accordingly, Unions NSW calls upon the Government to review the Shop Trading Act in order to restore the rights of retail workers to have a short break during the Christmas and Easter festive seasons".
Com B. Smith seconded the resolution
CARRIED
6. From the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch:- expressing their support for the Rudd Labor Government's stimulus package. The ETU condemned the Leader of the Opposition and his party for their opposition to the package and turning their backs on Australian workers and many small business owners who would benefit from this new stimulus package. They said that the Opposition and all minor parties in the Senate should support the package.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive recommendation.
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulates the Rudd Labor Government for its proposal to intervene in the economy to help minimise the effects of the global economic crisis on Australian families.
Further, we condemn the Federal Opposition for opposing the Federal Government's stimulus package and calls upon them to reverse their decision immediately."
Com B. Riordan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
7. From The Finance Sector Union, NSW Branch:- advising Unions NSW that Anzac Day this year calls on a Saturday and that without action from the NSW Government to proclaim an additional public holiday the following Monday, millions of NSW workers who normally work Monday to Friday would lose a valued public holiday to spend with family and friends. The Union said that whilst they support the decision to commemorate Anzac Day on 25th April each year, they understand that both the Western Australian and Victorian governments had taken steps to proclaim Monday 27th April as a public holiday in their respective states this year to ensure that workers were not denied a public holiday. The FSU requested that Unions NSW take urgent steps to meet with the RSL to propose a joint approach to the NSW Government that would see Anzac Day commemorated on 25th April with an additional public holiday proclaimed for the following Monday, 27th April, 2009.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW initiate a meeting with representatives of the RSL with respect to achieving a joint position on an additional public holiday as requested by the FSU."
Com. G. Derrick seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Appointment of Returning Officer & Assistant Returning Officer
For 2009.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:
"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 2009, and that Frank Barnes be appointed as Assistant Returning Officer."
Com. B. Smith seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6: 40PM
President:____________________________________
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