Meeting held : 23 July 2009
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 23 JULY 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY AT 6:00PM
The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - M. Lennon [Secretary], M. Morey [Senior Industrial Officer].
OPENING OF THE MEETING
The Acting President Barry Johnson 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 Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. J. Kiedja seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. D. Lipman seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From: The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch replacing Peter Lane with Hung Nguyen
The Secretary, Com M. Lennon moved:-
"That the credentials be received and delegates welcomed."
Com. J. Kiejda seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Issanchon, C. Christodoulou,
A. Kerslake, B. Holmes, B. Kruse, B. Fitzpatrick, J. Carter, F. Fortescue.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union: - regarding the Northern Territory intervention by the Federal Government. The CFMEU said that this was a crucial time for Aboriginal people, particularly in the Northern Territory. They said that the NT Intervention has cost more than $1 billion and that new layers of bureaucracy are taking control of communities as Aboriginal organisations and programmes struggle to survive.
One of these is the Tangentyere Council which is based in Alice Springs. Tangentyere provides services to the 1,600 people from most Central Australian tribal groups living on the 18 town camps around the town. Over the years the council has established aboriginal controlled organisation as the need arose, such as Aboriginal; medical services, alcohol rehabilitation, education institution, Legal Aid service, Yipirinye School (Independent aboriginal school) and outstation resource centres.
The Government's NT Intervention has taken out compulsory 5-year leases over the town camps serviced by Tangentyere, along with outstations and other remote communities. Aboriginal communities across the NT have been told that no housing will be built until long-term leases are signed with the government.
2.
Town camps are now faced with compulsory acquisition by the Federal Government and their housing stock given to the NT Government to manage. Tenancy under Territory Housing has not worked in the past and still does not work for them. The Tangentyere Council wants to move towards community housing models.
With government support they have undergone the process of setting up the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company and are keen to move ahead with this. They have implored the government to work in partnership with them and respect their right to have a say in the plans for their lives and for future generations.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW write to Minister Macklin to express our concern about the Federal Government's actions in regards to the NT Intervention.
Specifically, Unions NSW is concerned about Federal Government actions to suspend the provision of the Racial Discrimination Act and other actions that do not have support from the relevant local Aboriginal Groups".
Com S. Woodward seconded the resolution
CARRIED
3. From the Hon. Greg Donnelly, MLC: - regarding the continuing debate whether Australia should have a Charter of Rights. The submission made by NSW Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos to the inquiry by the National Human Rights Consultation Committee outlines the grounds and reasons against creating a national human rights act.
Some issues raised are particularly relevant to trade unions noted in some overseas jurisdictions employers have "creatively" utilised certain provisions within Charter/Bill of Rights to block or inhibit trade union activity specifically in the areas of recruitment and representation.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW circulate to affiliates for information."<.i>
Com B. Tubner seconded the resolution
CARRIED
4. From the Defence Reserves Support Council (DRSC):- requesting a meeting to discuss ADF Reserve matters that may affect their members following the DRSC presentation on 12 March 2009 to the Labor Council Meeting.
The DRSC is an organisation established to provide an effective link between Reservists and other interested parties, employers, the Australian Defence Force, three levels of government and the community.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW circulate to relevant affiliates for information."
Com C. Bodner seconded the resolution
CARRIED
5. From ME Bank:- announcing the new three year agreement with Unions NSW. Unions are significant stakeholders in ME Bank and have been successful in promoting ME Bank Products and services to members.
The ME Launch will be held 6th August 2009 after the General Meeting.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW circulate the correspondence to encourage all affiliates to attend the ME Function on the 6 August."
Com G. Dwyer seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Secretary Com M Lennon announced the upcoming:
1. ME Bank Launch
The ME Bank Launch to be held after the Unions NSW General Meeting on Thursday 6 August.
Drinks and finger food will be served. For catering purposes please advise Robyn Griffith at Unions NSW 9881 5999. Flyers distributed.
2. Information Seminars on the Fair Work Act 2009
Unions NSW are establishing a series of Information Seminars for all Affiliates regarding the Fair Work Act.
The program offers an insight into the Fair Work Act and the new Federal System with an in-depth look at a different section/s of the Act every few weeks. The first 2 seminars are scheduled as follows:
Date Time Topic Presenter Venue
Thurs 13th Aug 2009 10am -12 noon New Bargaining Process including Orders Emma Maiden
Lawyer
Slater and Gordon Trades Hall Auditorium
Thur 27th Aug 2009 2pm - 4pm Options for Arbitration under the Fair Work Act Ian Latham
Barrister
Denman Chambers Trades Hall Auditorium
The Seminars are free for all affiliates. It is intended that further seminars will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Please RSVP for each of the seminars to Carmel Delprat on cdelprat@unionsnsw.org.au or on (02) 9881 5999.
Should you require further information please do not hesitate to contact Alisha or Mark Morey on 9881 5999.
3. THERE WILL BE NO THURSDAY NIGHT MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
Due to the ALP Conference held next week the usual Thursday Union NSW meetings will not be held.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6.20 PM
President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
