Meeting held : 26 February 2009
Chair of Meeting: The President, Comrade. Sandra Moait
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY, 2009
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, C. Christodoulou, A. Kerslake
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. 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
For tonight's meeting
From The National Tertiary Education Union- NSW Branch appointing: -
G. Kelly, Dr L. Palmer, M. Thomson, S. Price.
From: The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia appointing:- H. McNabbb replacing P. Lane
From: The CFMEU - appointing Steward Woodward replacing A. Ferguson during his period of absence for the next 6 months.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - J. Diamond, L. Hankinson, C. O'Sheades, J. Kiejda, R. Collison, G. Dwyer
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. R. Fortescue seconded.
CARRIED
GUEST SPEAKER:
Brett Collins - Justice Action
The President, Com. S. Moait introduced Com. Brett Collins from Justice Action and invited him to address delegates.
Com. Collins spoke of their close association with the trade union movement. He said that Justice Action represented prisoners in the correctional system.
Com. Collins spoke against the privatisation of correctional centres in NSW.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon thanked Com. Collins and Justice Action for their tireless work over the years for a job which is often difficult. Com. M. Lennon reiterated Unions NSW opposition to the privatisation of correctional facilities.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees:- advising Unions NSW of the Award Modernisation decision of the Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 19 December 2008. The union said that the Full Bench has decided not to supplement conditions of employment provided under the National Employment Standards (NES) in modern awards. In particular the union notes the substandard approach taken by the Full Bench with respect to parental Leave, Community Service Leave & Public Holidays.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions expresses its opposition to the approach taken by the AIRC as it relates to the supplementation of the NES in new Awards.
Further, the Union NSW calls on the Federal Government to make amendments to the Fair Work Bill which allow awards to supplement the NES in a way where workers do not lose vital conditions of employment such as parental and community leave entitlements."
Com. B. Smith seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union:- advising Unions NSW of the campaign to abolish the Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC).
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW endorse the campaign as set out by the CFMEU which respect to abolishing the ABCC."
Com. P. McClelland seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the United Services Union: - advising Unions NSW of concerns held by the union regarding the delay in negotiations between the State and Federal Governments regarding the future of the State IR System in the context of the Fair work Australia Legislation.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reiterates its support for Local Government to remain within the NSW Industrial Relations System and for other employers in the private sector to "opt in" to the State's system.
Further, that a meeting in relation to this matter be organised with the Minister."
Com. B. Kruse seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Hon. John Hatzistergos, MLC, Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations: - regarding the maintaining of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW continue to meet with the Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations to ensure that the NSW Industrial Relations system is maintained and its jurisdiction exercised over a broad range of employment matters both in the public and private sectors".
Com. T. Moriarty seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Textile & Footwear Union of Australia:- regarding the announcement by Pacific Brands that 1850 workers would be retrenched through the closure of their manufacturing plants in Australia.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Union NSW condemn the actions of Pacific Brand in not consulting the union or workers prior to the announcement of 1,850 job cuts.
Further, we call upon the NSW State & Federal Governments to introduce procurement policies which help protect and enhance Australian jobs."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Job Summit
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon reported on the NSW Job Summit.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and the NSW Government be commended and the Premier congratulated on this initiative."
Com. B. Johnson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. The Pending Retirement of Com. Moait as President of Unions NSW
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon reported that he had been informed by Com. Moait that she intended to stand down as President of Unions NSW. He said that whilst this was a sad announcement for the organisation he was sure that Com. Moait had made the decision for all the right reasons.
Com. Lennon said that more would be said about Com. Moait's contribution to Unions NSW and the movement more broadly at the next Council Meeting.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and adopted".
Com. B. Riordan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. DSI Dispute in Albury
Workers at DSI and their families have established a tent city outside the company's premises at Kaitlers Road, Lavington (10 mins from Albury).
Unions are encouraged to visit the workers and lend their support for their struggle to achieve 100% of their entitlements.
2. Leichhardt Flies the Flag for Western Sahara
At 9am on Friday 27 February 2009 to mark the 33rd Anniversary of the Saharawi Republic the Leichhardt Council will fly the flag for Western Sahara. Unions are encouraged to send representatives in a show of solidarity and friendship towards the people of Western Sahara.
3 International Women's Day (IWD) March - Saturday 7 March
International Women's Day is celebrated globally on 8 March.
The march will be held on Saturday, 7 March as this is the closest Saturday to the actual day.
Theme: Why aren't we there yet?
Where: Assemble at Sydney Town Hall, George Street 11am
March Route: Along George Street, right into King Street, right into
Elizabeth St
Rally: Hyde Park North.
MC at Town Hall: Lisa Pryor
MC at Hyde Park: Meredith Burgmann
Speakers: covering current issues
Stalls: Many community and organisation stalls
IWD Forum
Unions NSW officers have organised for a forum which will be held on 5 March in the Auditorium and have requested affiliates to send along rank and file and officials to the forum.
The theme of the day will be the impact of the Economic Crisis on Women.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6: 40PM
President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
