Meeting held : 16 April 2009
Chair of Meeting: The President, Comrade Marilyn Issanchon
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 16TH APRIL 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00PM
The President Com. M. Issanchon 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. S. Turner seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: -A. Kerslake, R. Fortescue, R. Tonkli, F. Barnes.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Public Service Association of New South Wales:- regarding the Treasurer's press statement issued on 9th April 2009 indicating that the ALP Government would be proceeding with the privatisation of the NSW Lotteries. The PSA advised that all workers at NSW Lotteries were called to a meeting at 3.30pm on the 9th April and were informed of the privatisation decision and the packages or options available to them. The PSA requested the support of Unions NSW and all affiliates in their campaign to ensure their members are not disadvantaged and special enforceable protections put in place should privatisation proceed.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW supports the PSA's campaign to protect the wages and conditions of their members affected by the Government's intention to privatise State Lotteries.
Further, Unions NSW opposes the privatisation of State Lotteries which would have a long term effect of denying the State of a much needed revenue stream."
Com. S. Turner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Cessnock City Council:- advising Unions NSW that Cessnock City Councillors unanimously supported a resolution at its meeting on 18th March, 2009 to stop purchasing Pacific Brands manufactured products and to actively promote the purchasing of clothing items made in Australia.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW endorse Cessnock City Council not purchasing products from Pacific Brands where such products are produced overseas.
Further, that this position should be reviewed once the TCFUA dispute with Pacific Brands is resolved."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the South Coast May Day Committee:- requesting a donation from Unions NSW to support the May Day activities of the Committee.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and that Unions NSW make a donation of $100.00 to the South Coast May Day Committee."
Com. R. Mallia seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, NSW Branch:- regarding the ongoing debate surrounding the possible introduction of a Charter of Human Rights in Australia. The AMWU advised that the Commonwealth Government has commissioned a Committee to conduct the National Human Rights Consultation and report to the Government on the level of human rights protection in Australia. They said that the Committee would likely focus on three questions:
• Which human rights and responsibilities should be protected and promoted;
• Are human rights sufficiently protected and promoted; and
• How could Australia better protect and promote human rights.
The AMWU requested Unions NSW invite a representative of the Australian Human Rights Group to speak at a future Unions NSW meeting.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW invite Professor George Williams or Susan Ryan to address a future meeting of Unions NSW with respect to the proposed Charter of Human Rights."
Com C. Drane seconded the resolution.
Com. G Dwyer SDA sought an amendment to the proposed resolution and following discussion the mover and seconder accepted the amendment. Accordingly, the following resolution was put by the chair
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW invite Professor George Williams or Susan Ryan to address a future meeting of Unions NSW with respect to the proposed Charter of Human Rights as the commencement of the debate on the matter"
CARRIED
5. From the Office of the Hon. Julia Gillard, MP, Deputy Prime Minister:- regarding the entitlements of Drivetrain Systems International (DSI) employees and the General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS).
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted and Unions NSW reiterates its position that the Federal Government should review the Geers Scheme to ensure workers receive 100% of their entitlements."
Com C. Drane seconded the resolution
CARRIED
6. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch:- advising Unions NSW of their opposition to key aspects of the Willcox Report with respect to the review of the ABCC, its powers and replacement under Fair Work Australia. The CFMEU requested a meeting of building and construction unions be convened and also that a meeting with the NSW Minister for Industrial Relations be arranged to discuss and progress this matter further.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive recommendation.
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW convene a meeting of construction unions as requested.
Further, that a meeting be organised with the NSW Minister for Industrial Relations as soon as possible to discuss the review of the Implementation Guidelines."
Com R. Mallia seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. OH&S Campaign
Campaign Officer, Paul Doughty reported on the Unions NSW launch of the campaign to protect NSW OH&S Laws against proposals put forward by the Federal Governments harmonization of proposals. In particular, unions were concerned about the loss of union prosecution and the obligation on employers to provide an absolute duty of care.
Com. M. Lennon moved:
"That the report be received and adopted."
Com. G. Kelly seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6: 33PM
President:____________________________________
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