Meeting held : 05 November 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 5 NOVEMBER 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].
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. B. Kruse seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. G. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
CREDITENTIALS
From: The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch replacing Peter Lane with Hanisha McNabb.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. G. Dwyer seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Issanchon, A. Kerslake, A. Tattersall, B. Tubner, R. Collison, B. Smith, C. O'Sheades, N. Lewocki and R. Tonkli.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. A. Ferguson seconded.
CARRIED
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
Vale: Com. John Garrett
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon advised delegates that it was his sad duty to report on the passing of John Garrett on 18th October 2009 after a short nine week battle with a rare form of lung cancer.
A committed unionist John was the:
• General Secretary of the Firemen & Deckhands Union of NSW between 1984 and 1993,
• Assistant Sydney Branch Secretary of the MUA 1993 and 1999
• Deputy Sydney Branch Secretary of the MUA between 1999 and 2003 where he finally retired.
Prior to entering office, John worked in the maritime industry with Stannards Brothers Launch Service where he worked since 1967 as a linesmen attending to ships when they called into Sydney along with driving ferries, small tugs and launches.
During this time a job delegate, he was selected to represent the union internationally and go to various world youth conferences including Berlin, Moscow, and Cuba which gave him exposure to both the youth movement and the international peace movement. This exposure to workers internationally being treated without dignity, led John to work in with the Executive of the F&D's to challenge internationally atrocities by stopping and delaying the departure of ships linked in with Greek Junta, the South African apartheid regime and various other campaigns.
A recent count showed that along with the then General Secretary of the union at the time, Don Henderson, the Union stopped the departure of 561 flag of convenience ships between 1969 to 1978 to assist crews to achieve their legitimate wages, leave and improve living standards onboard ships.
His legacy of work in the Union movement is well known to all and he worked tirelessly to strengthen the terms and conditions for the members. Of all his achievements in office, he was always particularly proud of the aggregate wage system that was introduced into a number of areas to ensure that the members had a stable and continuous wage which allowed members to get home loans and live with dignity through having a good wage and predictability in their earnings.
He was a regular participant in Labor Council meetings, he was well known to many and through his hard work, earned their respect for the work he did in the union movement to achieve fair wages and conditions for workers.
Com. Paul Garrett from the MUA addressed the meeting and spoke of his late father's life, his family and his involvement with the trade unions.
The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson asked the meeting to observe a minutes silence in memory of John Garrett.
DELEGATES OBSERVED A MINUTES SILENCE
GUEST SPEAKER
Bernie's Angels
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon introduced Mrs Karen Banton and invited her to address delegates on the role of 'Bernie's Angels'. Karen said that this foundation consisted of a number of trained volunteers and professionals who offer support and respite for those suffering from asbestos related diseases.
Karen also asked delegates to support the fund raising dinner.
The dinner was to be held on 21st November with all proceeds going to "Bernie's Angels".
Venue: The Grand Pavilion, Rosehill Gardens
Date: Saturday, 21st November 2009
Time: 11.30am for 12 noon start.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From Construction, Forestry Mining & Energy Union:- thanking Unions NSW and affiliates for their support at the Ark Tribe Rally on Friday 30th October. The union said that the case against Art Tribe had been re-scheduled to Friday 18th December, 2009.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
who supported the rally on the 30 October.
Further, we once again call upon the Federal Government to immediately abolish the ABCC".
Com. A. Ferguson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Police Association of NSW:- regarding support for Movember which helps raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer and Beyond Blue.
The association said that in Australia 3,000 men die of prostate cancer each year and one in eight men will experience depression in their lifetime. The said that Movember was now in its sixth year and the Police Association encouraged members and officials to participate in this fundraiser by making donations to the foundation.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW calls upon affiliates to support 'Movember' by contributing to the Prostate Cancer and Beyond Blue fundraiser".
Com. G. Derrick seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
Humane Refugee Solution -Signing Ceremony
Com. M. Lennon reported on the Humane Refugee Signing Ceremony by Churches and Unions which was held prior to the Unions NSW General meeting. Com. Lennon said that the ceremony was held to highlight the concern regarding the asylum seekers on board the Oceanic Viking.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted" .
Com. K. Sullivan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Unions NSW and ACTU Growth Forum
The Growth Forum will showcase growth strategies being used by unions across the country.
When: Thursday 12th & Friday 13th November
Where: Unions NSW, Trades Hall Auditorium
Contact Robyn at Unions NSW for free registration
2. Book Launch - John Joseph Cahill
The Hon. Tony Kelly & The Hon. Bob Carr, former Premier of NSW invites you to the book launch on the life and times of John Joseph Cahill by author, Peter Golding.
Date: Tuesday 10 November 2009
Venue: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney
Time: 3.30pm
RSVP: Johno Johnson 0419 243 285
3. No Unions NSW Meeting Next Week
Due to the Growth Conference and the ALP Conference in the weekend the usual Thursday Unions NSW meeting will not be held.
The next Unions NSW meeting will be held Thursday 19 November 2009.
4. Wran Lecture
The Secretary Com. M. Lennon announced the ALP Wran Lecture would follow the close of the meeting at 7:00pm.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:30PM
Acting President:__________________________________
