Meeting held : 06 August 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 6 AUGUST 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], C. Christodoulou [Assistant Secretary], A. Kerslake [Deputy Assistant Secretary].
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"
Seconded: Com. K. Sullivan
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon
Seconded: Com. G. Kelly
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Issanchon, J. Kiedja, N. Lewocki,
F. Barnes. G. McLean. B. Fitzpatrick, R. Boanza.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. P. Kelly seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union: - Requesting Unions NSW make representation to the President of the USA, Barack Obama, to immediately release the Cuban Five. 10 years ago these five Cuban-born men who were living in Miami USA were gaoled after they gave evidence to the United States Government in respect of terrorists threats against Cuba.
Instead of the US government standing up against terrorism the opposite occurred in 2001 after an unfair trial and violations of their rights, the Cuban Five were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage, even though no espionage was actually committed. Two of these men were given life sentences.
Families of these innocent men have been repeatedly denied visitor entry by United States officials and have not seen their fathers or husbands for 10 years.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW write to the President of the US Barack Obama requesting that he consider releasing the Cuban 5 having regard to the circumstances of their arrest and their trial.
Further, Unions NSW believes the release of the Cuban 5 will assist in the ongoing process of rapprochement between USA and Cuba".
Com M. Parker seconded the resolution
CARRIED
2. From the Australian Services Union of NSW: - Regarding support for the rally on 7th August to demand equal pay with their colleagues doing the same job in the Public Sector and their colleagues in the Community Sector in Queensland.
ASU members earn around 30% less than workers in the Public Service and this situation in no longer tolerable. ASU members do some of the most important work in the community, supporting homeless people, people with disabilities, abused and the poor and the marginalised in our society. Governments rely on the members to provide essential services on their behalf, yet exploit the commitment our members have making a difference in our community by paying them pittance.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the ASU's campaign for equal pay between workers in the community sector and the public sector who are carrying out the same work and providing the same services to the public."
Com S. McManus seconded the resolution
CARRIED
3. From the Electrical Trades Union:- seeking a meeting to discuss support for SALT (Supporting And Linking Tradeswomen). SALT is an organisation, formed by ETU Organiser, Sarah Brunton to support and link women in non-traditional trades.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the establishment of SALT and convene a meeting of affiliates as requested".
Com B. Riordan seconded the resolution
CARRIED
4. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union:- requesting a meeting with the Minister to discuss John Holland's safety performance further.
The CFMEU raised its concern that John Holland was one of the partners in the short listed consortia for the Sydney Metro's major construction and tunnelling project. The Union has attempted to gain access to the Bluewater desalination project during its construction to exercise our rights under the OHS Act 2000. The purpose has been to investigate and address serious safety concerns raised by our members. John Holland's lawyers, have stated that irrespective of the State Government's amendment of the OHS legislation to remedy a deficiency in the definition of "authorised representative", it maintains its position that properly authorised union officials do not have safety right of entry in respect of subcontractors because Holland's is in Comcare, and entry will be refused.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW organise a meeting as requested".
Com B. Parker seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the United Services Union:- seeking support for their campaign to improve safety standards for rangers and parking patrol officers in the NSW local government.
The USU report "Moving-on for Safety" focussed on the nature and impact of various forms of abuse, aggression and violence perpetrated by some members of the public against the officers while they performed their duties.
The level of violence and aggression experienced by rangers and parking patrol officers is too high, and the union is keen to work with both State and local levels of government to put a stop to the abuse directed at rangers.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the call of the USU for Councils and the State Government to introduce a range of measures that will improve OH&S outcomes for rangers and parking patrol officers."
Com B. Kruse seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
State Wage Case Decision
The Assistant Secretary, Com C. Christodoulou reported on the State Wage Case decision. He said that the case was run in a difficult economic environment. The employers had argued for a nil increase and the adoption of the Australian Fair Pay Commission decision.
The State Commission awarded an increase of 2.8% and $15.50 to the minimum award wage. This made NSW minimum awards the highest in the country. Com C. Christodoulou thanked Alisha Wilde, Mark Morey, Robyn Griffith and in particular Neale Towart for their assistance in preparing the case.
Secretary Com. M. Lennon moved that the report be received and that Assistant Secretary Com. C. Christodoulou and the other officers of Unions NSW be thanked for the hard work in preparing and delivering a successful outcome for NSW workers.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted".
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENT
ME Bank Launch
The Secretary Com M Lennon announced the ME Bank Launch event tonight and invited affiliates and delegates to attend the ME Bank Launch in the Atrium after the meeting for drinks and finger food.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6.35 PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
