Meeting held : 01 October 2009
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Com. J. Kiejda
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00PM.
The Acting President, Com. J. Kiejda occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - C. Christodoulou [Acting Secretary].
A. Kerslake [Deputy Assistant Secretary]
MINUTES: -
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. H. Rebeio seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. P. Molarn seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The National Tertiary Education Union:-- appointing S. Price in place of G. Kelly.
From: Textile Clothing & Footwear Union: - appointing H. McNabb in place of P. Lane.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved:-
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. B. Riordan seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Lennon, G. Derrick, G. Dwyer, B. Smith, B. Holmes, M. Want,
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved:-
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union:- regarding a member of the CFMEU, Mr Melrose Desmond Donley and the launch of his book 'Slipped Through the Net' which tells the story of a 94 year old, pale-skinned, aboriginal man who did not discover his aboriginality until he reached his 60's. The union said that Des was an elder of the Darkinjung Tribe on the NSW Central Coast, and was still politically active. At the State Council meeting in September, the CFMEU presented Des with an Award of Appreciation for his continuing and outstanding contributions to the indigenous, social justice and trade union struggles. The booked is a story of Des' life, a tale of identity and what it is to be a man, whether black or white. The CFMEU said that the book was widely distributed and had been taken up by the Trade Union Movement as a simple tale of heroism and struggle. The CFMEU requested that Des be given the opportunity to address delegates about his struggle at a future Unions NSW meeting.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW invite
Mr Des Donley to address a future meeting of Unions NSW."
Com. I. Gemmell seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Police Association of NSW:- thanking Unions NSW for their continued support on Police Remembrance Day 29 September. The union said that this was an important day for Police, their families and the community to pause and honour Police Officers who had lost their lives while performing their duties, through illness or other circumstances.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW expresses its condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones whilst carrying out their duties for the NSW Police Force."
Further, we call upon the NSW Police Force to continue to improve OH&S practices with the view to preventing the loss of life of our police officers whilst on duty."
Com. E. Owen seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From The Hon. Joe Tripodi, MP:- advising Unions that the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill was passed by Parliament on 23 September 2009 without amendment. The Minister said that the Bill clarifies the definition of an authorised representative in the OH&S Act 2000 and ensures that both union employees and officers can be authorised to exercise a right of entry to workplaces for health and safety purposes.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulates the NSW Government for their quick action on this matter."
Com. C. Drane seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Burma Campaign Australia:- regarding the campaign launch of "Don't Deal with Burma" by Burma Campaign Australia, The Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Uniting Church.
The national campaign calls on:
- Australian companies helping fund the military dictatorship from Burma; and
- The Australian Government to introduce targeted trade and investment sanctions against Burma.
Australian companies operating and investing in Burma help perpetuate the horrific cruelty of a repressive unelected military regime. This is because it is not possible to do business in Burma without supporting the military regime and is systematic human rights abuses. Australian companies are securing the long term financial viability the military dictatorship.
Forced labour, murder, rape and forced relocation are some of the human rights violations companies who trade with and invest in Burma risk supporting.
Burma Campaign Australia asks Union NSW to support the campaign by signing their Statement of Support.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW supports the Don't Deal with Burma Campaign."
Com. P. Byrne seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the NSW Teachers Federation:- regarding the NSW Government's TAFE Funding cut. The union said that statistics from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research released in late September showed that NSW was ranked the lowest of all Australian States and Territories in recurrent funding increases to TAFE from 1997 to 2007. They said that between 1997 and 2007 the NSW Government only increased its TAFE recurrent funding by 13.6% while other states and territories increased theirs by 60.5%. During this period, a 70% increase was needed just to match the 13.6% increase. The Commonwealth Government increased its total recurrent funding for TAFE NSW by around 32%. NSW Government capital funding for TAFE has been cut more with an actual 56% cut unadjusted for inflation. The Federation said that if the NSW Government had continued to fund TAFE at the same real level as in 1997. TAFE NSW would now be receiving an additional $550 million per year. The NSW Labor Government is opening TAFE up for privatisation. The Federation sought the support of Unions NSW in opposing such an agenda and any similar plans to operate TAFE on a commercially driven business basis.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW write to the Premier outlining our concerns at the level of TAFE funding in NSW.
Further, that we call upon the State Government to increase funding to TAFE with a view to improving services and teacher salaries."
Com P. Bradley seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union:- regarding the devastating consequences of the Samoan earthquake and tsunami. The union said that many construction workers had contributed to the building and construction union appeal. Many of these workers had family and friends who have been affected by this tragedy. The CFMEU calls upon its members and all affiliates to generously contribute and support the APHEDA Samoa and Tongan Appeal.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW to donate $500 to the appeal and we circulate information so affiliates can contribute to the appeal."
Com J. Ratana seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
7. From the International Union of Food Asia and Pacific (IUF):- thanking Unions NSW for supporting and organising a demonstration outside the Australian headquarters of Unilever (Lipton tea) in support of the Lipton Tea workers in Pakistan. They said that the demonstration sent a very important message to the company that its grossly exploitative labour practices in Pakistan could not be hidden. The threat of casualisation and outsourcing of precarious work with no job security is a threat all over the world. They said that the support Unions NSW had given to this campaign was also part of all trade unions' broader fight for rights and justice at work everywhere in the world.
The Acting Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulates the IUF for the campaign on behalf of the casual workers at Unilever, Pakistan.
Further, Unions NSW will circulate information to their affiliates and ask for their support in the campaign."
Com S. Bali seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6: 45PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
