Meeting held : 19 March 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 19TH MARCH 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. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch appointing:- N. Flores in place of S. Davies.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. C. Bodnar seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - B. Holmes, J. Diamond, C. O'Sheades, J. Cahill, S. Walsh, N. Lewocki and J. Cahill.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. R. Fortescue seconded.
CARRIED
GUEST SPEAKER:
The Acting President, Com. B. Johnson, introduced Jasper Goss from the International Union of Food - Asia Pacific (IUF) to address delegates regarding the campaign to support workers at Unilever's Tea Factory in Pakistan. Com. Goss said that in Pakistan Unilever employed 8,000 people and that less than 10% were permanent employees. He advised delegates that IUF had begun a global campaign against Unilever who were acting in a blatantly anti-union manner towards these workers.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon thanked Com. Goss for his address and urged delegates to support the IUF campaign.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Public Service Association of New South Wales:- advising Unions NSW of a rally to protest against the NSW Government's plan to privatise Cessnock and Parklea Correctional Centres. The union advised that the rally would take place on Thursday, 2nd April, 2009 at 11.00am outside Parliament House. They requested that all affiliates should assemble at Hyde Park at 10.00am for a march to Parliament House.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW endorse the PSA Rally to protest the government's plan to privatise Cessnock and Parklea Correctional Centres.
Further, we call upon affiliates to support the rally."
Com. S. Turner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the NSW Alliance of Retired Trade Unionists: seeking a small donation from Unions NSW to assist with their activities.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW make a donation of $100 to assist the NSW ARTU."
Com. C. Drane seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Australian Red Cross:- thanking Unions NSW for their generous support for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and noted."
Com. J. Kiejda seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch, the Rail Tram and Bus Union, NSW Branch and the Maritime Union of Australia, Sydney Branch:- regarding the pending decision by State Transit and Sydney Water to purchase imported apparel for their employees.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW convene a meeting of affiliates as requested.
Further, we call upon the State Government to halt any decision on the supply of apparel, uniforms and other work wear, until such time as an urgent meeting can take place with the appropriate minister on this issue."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the National Union of Students: - seeking the support of Unions NSW and affiliates for their protest against the deregulation of fees and places in universities. They advised that a Rally will be held on Wednesday, 25th March 2009 at University of Sydney Fisher Library commencing at 12 Noon.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW support the campaign by the National Union of Students against the deregulation of fees and places in universities in NSW.
Further, affiliates are encouraged to support the rally on Wednesday, 25th March 2009."
Com. P. Bradley seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Returning Officer's Report
The Returning Officer, Com. V. Falconer advised that having called nominations for the positions of President of Unions NSW and (1) Vice President of Unions NSW I wish to advise the following:-
1. As at the close of nominations I have received (1) nomination from Marilyn Issanchon for the position of President. I therefore declare Marilyn Issanchon elected to the position of President of Unions NSW.
2. As at the close of nominations I have received (1) nomination from Judith Kiejda for the position of Vice President. I therefore declare Judith Kiejda elected to the position of Vice President of Unions NSW
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received."
Com. D. Belan seconded.
CARRIED
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be adopted."
Com. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
Com. M. Issanchon and Com. J. Kiejda both spoke and
thanked Council for its support.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6: 35M
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
