Meeting held : 02 July 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 2 JULY 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY AT 6:00PM.
The President, Com. M. Issanchon occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: -C. Christodoulou [Acting Secretary], A. Kerslake [Deputy Assistant Secretary].
OPENING OF THE MEETING
The President Com M Issanchon opened the meeting and in doing so recognised the traditional owners of the land on which the meeting was held, The Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.
MINUTES: -
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. B. Kruse seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. S. Robinson seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Lennon, F. Barnes, C. O'Sheades, J. Kelly, M. Thompson, L. Palmer, G. Dwyer, J. Diamond, J. Kiejda.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. W. Meaney seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union: - regarding the delegation from the Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Unions Korean visiting Sydney 7-10 July 2009. The Union requested that they be given the opportunity to address the Unions NSW Council Meeting and share the struggle that Korean construction workers have for justice, dignity and respect.
Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW and Unions NSW organise a meeting as requested."
Com B. Parker seconded the resolution
CARRIED
2. From Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union:- regarding the ongoing protest of the four sacked employees from Thiess Services. Thiess Services management have refused to meet with the union to reinstate the sacked workers or negotiate in good faith a fair and reasonable collective agreement with the union. Thiess workers and the local community are holding a community protest at 40 Walker St, Rhodes on the 9 July 2009.
Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reiterates its support for the sacked Thiess workers.
Further, Unions NSW calls upon all affiliates to attend a mass protest outside the Rhodes site on Thursday 9th July at 12noon."
Com. R. Mallia seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia:- announced that 1 July 2009 marked the beginning of the new Fair Work Act which sees the end of WorkChoices.
The Union advised that under the new Fair Work Act unfair dismissals rights had been restored and employees of small businesses (now defined as under 15 employees) will have access to Unfair Dismissal rights after 12 months of service. They said that for larger employers it will be 6 months service. Under the new laws Unions will have easier access to workplaces.
Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW welcomes the introduction of the new Fair Work Act.
In doing so Unions NSW request all affiliates to take advantage of the new laws to protect and improve the living standards of their members."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution
CARRIED
4. From NSW Teachers Federation:- regarding their strong support of the Unions NSW proposal to merge the State Authorities Superannuation Scheme (SASS) with First State Super (FSS). The NSWTF sees the proposal as good public policy, and it deserves formal assessment by the government at the earliest opportunity.
Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW continue to press for the merging of the State Authority Superannuation Scheme and First State Super."
Com. K. Sullivan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RALLY TO SUPPORT SACKED THIESS WORKERS
WHEN: 12:00 noon, Thursday, 9 July 2009
WHERE: 40 Walker Street, Rhodes
SPEAKERS: - Mark Lennon, Secretary Unions NSW
- Malcolm Tulloch, Acting Secretary, CFMEU
- Nigel Gould, Sacked Thiess Employee
Please bring a gold coin donation for the BBQ
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6.30PM
President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
