Meeting held : 04 February 2010
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Com. J. Cahill
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2010
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00PM
The Acting President, Com. J Cahill occupied the Chair
PRESENT: -M. Lennon [Secretary], C. Christodoulou [Assistant Secretary].
OPENING OF THE MEETING
The Acting President, Com. J. Cahill 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. S. Walsh seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. A. Ferguson seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From: Australian Workers' Union appointing: - Jeff Buhler in place of Vern Falconer.
From: Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia appointing:-
Graydon Welsh in place of Stephen Davies.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the credentials be received and accepted".
Com. B. Smith seconded.
CARRIED
FOR THE ENSURING YEAR
From: The Australian Meat Industry Employees' Union of NSW appointing: - C. Donzow, P. Fernandez, D. Williams, our alternate delegates are; P. Usher, M. Perkins, C. Clark.
From: The Association of Principals Employed in Catholic Schools appointing:- M. Ingle.
From: The Australian Workers' Union appointing: - R. Collison, S. Bali,
G. Hillier, V. Falconer, L. Heaney, C. Bodnar, S. Barber. The alternate delegates : D. Margerison, S. Bean, J. Buhler, S. Crawford, P. Murray, T. Mitchell, P. Farrow, G. Beard, K. Brown.
From: The Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing: - B. Riordan, R. Smith, B. Maxwell, M. Stylli, P. Sinclair, D. Weizman, S. Robinson.
From: The National Union of Workers, NSW Branch appointing: - D. Belan, W. Meaney, M. Issanchon, B. Mendonca, R. Herbert, M. Cochrane,
N. Belan, G. Cripps. The alternate delegates: M. Bernardi, S. Mueller, S. Cain, C. Morgan, J. Nero, T. O'Donnell, T. McQuillan,
M. Cartwright.
From: The Rail Tram and Bus Union, NSW Branch appointing: -
A. Claassens, D. Malone, P. Kessey, B. Newham, R. Baonza, B. Edghill, M. Cartwright and P. Douglas (proxy).
From: The Shop Assistants and Warehouse Employees' Federation of Australia, Newcastle & Northern NSW Branch appointing: - B. Nebart, D. Bliss, T. May, L. Wiebe, R. Singer, J. Freeman.
From: The Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association, NSW Branch appointing: - G. Dwyer, B. Smith, E. Cody, J. Knight, B. Govind, P. Walker, R. Tonkli, C. Haigh, W. Hickey, J. Taylor, B. Hawkins (exercising two votes), B. Collins (exercising one vote)
From: The United Services Union appointing: - B. Kruse, P. Reid, G. McLean, P. Kelly, C. Young, G. Whalley, K. Hayden, S. Donley, D. Hogue, C. Raffan, S. Callinan, S. Morthen, W. Moody, J. Carter.
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Issanchon, J. Irving, V. Falconer, G. Dwyer, R. Fortescue, T. Ayres, J. Kiejda.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. S. Walsh seconded.
CARRIED
MOTION OF CONDOLENCE
Vale: Com. Roy Byrnes, USU Organiser
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon advised that it was his sad duty to report the passing of Comrade Roy Byrnes. He said that Roy joined the union in October 1996 during his employment with the former South Sydney Council. He became an active delegate in 1999 - attending delegates meetings, assisting members and taking issues and grievances to management on their behalf. Roy's efforts as a workplace delegate included:
? Improving the workplace safety of rail workers,
? Reducing the impact of the merger with City of Sydney and South Sydney Council
? Increasing the awareness of the availability of drug and alcohol rehabilitation for City of Sydney staff.
Roy became a member of the USU Committee of Management for the Sydney branch holding the position of Branch Secretary for a number of years. He was seconded to the USU in 2008 and was appointed permanently in February 2009.
Roy was passionate and determined to become a Union official. He picked up on issues others had put in the too hard basket with much determination to get what he thought members were entitled.
When USU remembers Roy, we think of his big heart and his strong principles, he was a great friend, a man who sought to make a difference, to better the lives of others not just his own.
Com. P. Kelly spoke on behalf of the USU in relation to Roy's work both as an activist and union official. He said Roy would be sadly missed.
DELEGATES OBSERVED
A MINUTES SILENCE
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch:- requesting affiliates support the rallies for the Indigenous Community on Saturday 13th February 2010.
The CFMEU said that February 13th 2010 would mark the second anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generation when Prime Minister Rudd committed his government to a "future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never happen again". However, the extraordinary goodwill generated by the apology had rapidly evaporated for many Aboriginal people and supporters of Aboriginal rights. The CFMEU said ongoing, punitive NT Intervention policies were a throwback to the assimilation policies which had created stolen generations. They said that the intervention had been a $1.5 billion disaster and that not a single house had been built. These communities shamefully will not receive housing until they sign 40 year leases over their land. Multi-national construction firm Parson's Brinkerhoff who were co-ordinating the housing program had already been paid $60 million whilst aboriginal communities had received nothing. This policy is expanding nationally. The union said that on February 13th, the Stop the Intervention Collective in Sydney would be holding a protest as part of a national day of action called by Aboriginal leaders in the NT. They said that the central demands for the day were for an end to draconian intervention laws, a massive boost in employment and resources for struggling aboriginal communities and an end to the expansion of Intervention policies across Australia.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the Rally to improve living conditions and rights of our indigenous community."
Com. A. Ferguson seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Maritime Union of Australia:- regarding the announcement by Premier Kristina Keneally that the NSW Government would keep Sydney Ferries in public hands. The MUA congratulated the Premier for making the announcement as well as Unions NSW and affiliates for their involvement in this enormous victory. The Premier recognised what the vast majority of Sydneysiders and the people of NSW believed that privatisation does not deliver a better service. The union said that the campaign highlighted the fantastic service that Sydney Ferries provided. The major focus being on the positive aspects of the service such as almost 100 per cent on time running, affordability, reliability and 90 per cent customer satisfaction. The MUA thanked Unions NSW and all the affiliates for their support in this multi union community campaign. They said that privatisation would remain an issue and that Unions and the community must actively oppose and fight against it. It is clear that when unions campaign collectively we achieve great outcomes in the interests of workers and the community.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulate the NSW Government for responding positively to the concerns of the community with respect to the privatisation of Sydney Ferries.
Further, Unions NSW congratulates all ferry union affiliates who assisted in the campaign including the 'Gotta Love Sydney Ferries' spokesperson Jack Mundey."
Com. R. Collison seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Textile Clothing & Footwear Union:- regarding the NSW Government Procurement Policy and the change of Premier in NSW and the reshuffle of Ministerial portfolios. The union said that with the change of leadership they believed it was important that the policies previously announced on procurement were implemented forthwith as promised by the two previous Ministers. The TCFUA requested that Unions NSW organise an urgent meeting with the new minister for Industrial Relations, and Commerce the Honourable John Robertson who now had responsibility for this matter.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW organise a meeting with the Minister as requested."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the APHEDA:- announcing the Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA Appeal to assist the victims of the Haiti earthquake They said that donations so far have been sent via the PSI Appeal, while other funds would go via the Canadian Auto Workers who were also running an appeal, and have a long history of working with unions in Haiti.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW
request affiliates support the APHEDA Haiti Appeal and in doing so Unions NSW donate $500".
Com. S. Walsh seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union:- regarding the decision in the Federal Court to reject CSR's application to demerge. They said that this was a very significant win for victims of asbestos related diseases. The union said that all affiliates who had been involved in the ongoing campaign to defend the rights of Hardies' victims would recognise the importance of government intervention to prevent potentially irresponsible corporate behaviour. The AWMU requested that Unions NSW write to the Premier and Attorney General congratulating the NSW State Government on their quick action on behalf of asbestos victims who have been exposed to CSR asbestos and asbestos products.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulate the NSW Government for its action to oppose in the Federal Court CSR application to demerge. The decision by the Federal Court to reject CSR's application is another important victory for the rights of asbestos victims."
Com. C. Drane seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Australian Meat Industry Employees' Union:- regarding the closure of the Burrangong Meat Processors in Young. The union advised that up to 300 employees employed at the Burrangong Meat Processors had been laid off and that the company had been placed into voluntary receivership.
They said that at the present time the workers were owed all their entitlements and up to a week's pay for hours they had already worked. They had been advised that they could reclaim some of their entitlements through the GEERS scheme however this could be a long process, which still does not guarantee all of their entitlements. The union said the closure of the plant was not only a huge blow to the employees but also the entire community. They said that Burrangong Meat Processors were the largest single employer in Young and that if the abattoir did not reopen the region's economy would be seriously affected.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW express its concern with respect to the closure of the Burrangong Meat Plant in Young and the affect that this will have not only for the workers, but for the community more generally.
Accordingly, Unions NSW supports calls by the AMIEU for the workers to receive their full entitlements if there is no possible way of the abattoir remaining in business."
Com. R. Malia seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
7. From the NSW Teachers Federation:- thanking Unions NSW for their ongoing support with the TAFE dispute. They said that the dispute arose from a decision of NSW Industrial Relations Commission which, in granting an award application from the NSW Government, introduced WorkChoices-style changes for TAFE teachers. The Federation said that the Premier had failed to honour an undertaking to continue discussions between her office and the Federation which had previously been given at a meeting of affiliates and the Premier on 18 December 2009. They said that as a consequence of this situation, the Federation had determined to hold a state-wide 24 hour strike of TAFE Teachers on Thursday 11 February.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW request affiliates to send representatives to support the NSW TAFE teachers rally on Thursday 11th February.
Com. J. Lemaire seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Rule Changes
The Secretary Com. M. Lennon advised the meeting that the alteration of Rules pursuant to Rule 40 had now been withdrawn.
The Secretary Com. M. Lennon moved:
"That the report be received and noted".
Com. S. Walsh seconded
CARRIED
2. Appointment of Returning Officers
The Secretary Com. M. Lennon moved:
"In accordance with Rule 24th of Unions NSW Rules Council appoint Vern Falconer as the Returning Officer for the year 2010 and that Rita Mallia and Bernie Smith be appointed as Assistant Returning Officers."
Com. G. Derrick seconded
CARRIED
3. Returning Officers Report
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon reported to the meeting that the Returning Officer, Com. Vern Falconer had called nominations for the position of Vice President vacated by Com. Barry Johnson. He said that nominations for Vice President would open at 9am on 5th February and close at 4pm on Thursday 11th February 2010. If a ballot was necessary it would be held on Thursday 18th February between the hours of 5pm and 7pm.
The Secretary Com. M. Lennon moved:
"That the report be received."
Com. G. Dwyer seconded
The Secretary Com. M. Lennon moved:
"That the report be adopted."
Seconded by Com. R. Mallia
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The proposed rally organised by the AMWU outside the Canadian Consulate on Friday 5th February to support asbestos victims has been postponed to a date to be announced.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:50PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
