Meeting held : 07 May 2009
Chair of Meeting: The President, Comrade Marilyn Issanchon
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 7th May 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY AT 6:00PM.
The President, Com. M. Issanchon occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - M. Lennon [Secretary], C. Christodoulou [Assistant Secretary],
A. Kerslake and A. Tattersall [Deputy Assistant Secretaries].
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. B. Johnson seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. F. Barnes seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS
From The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia, NSW Branch replacing Barry Tubner with Mark Edwards.
From The Public Service Association of New South Wales appointing Kris Cruden as a delegate for tonight's meeting.
From The Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch appointing Linda Everingham as a delegate for tonight's meeting.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the credentials be received and the delegates welcomed".
Com. B. Smith seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Tulloch, J. Diamond, L. Hankinson, R. Mallia, G. Dwyer, B. Kruse, S. Bali, N. Lewocki, S. Turner and R. Boanza.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. D. Belan seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Construction and General Division, NSW Branch:- expressing their ongoing support for the Unions NSW campaign against bad safety laws. They said that the need to ensure the best possible OH&S Laws, particularly in relation to the onus of proof and union right of entry was paramount.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reiterates its opposition to the watering down of key elements of the NSW OH&S Laws as part of the Federal Government's harmonisation process.
Further, we note that over 2,000 workers have already responded to the postcard campaign."
Com. I. Gemmell seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Public Service Association of New South Wales: - expressing their concerns about the treatment of School Administrative and Support Staff in NSW Government Schools. The PSA advised that they were stepping up their fight for school support staff and had recently launched the "Students Need Us' campaign, including a website: www.studentsneedus.org.au. They said that the campaign would be rolled out over the next few months. The union sought the support of Unions NSW for their campaign. They also requested Unions NSW seek to meet with the Minister for Education and Training regarding more permanent positions for support staff in schools.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW endorse the 'Students Need Us' Campaign and in doing so seek a meeting with the Minister for Education and Training as requested".
Com. K. Cruden seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Construction & General Division, NSW Branch:- seeking the support of Unions NSW and affiliates with the organisation of a rally outside the ALP National Conference which is being held in Sydney commencing 29th July 2009. The CFMEU said they believed it was important to send a message to Federal Labor that the maintenance of the coercive, anti-worker powers of the ABCC was not acceptable and contrary to true labor principles.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW endorse the organisation of a Rally at the ALP Conference".
Com. L. Everingham seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the New South Wales Nurses' Association:- regarding and article in the Sydney Morning Herald on 2nd May where the former Premier, Bob Carr attacked the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and the Trade Union movement for a lack of infrastructure spending in New South Wales.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW condemns the comments made by the former Premier, Bob Carr with respect to his attack on the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and the Trade Union movement".
Com. B. Holmes seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
5. From the National Tertiary Education Union, NSW Branch:- requesting Unions NSW support the Sydney Tamil Community in their struggle for peace and justice in Sri Lanka.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all civilians who are affected by the Government's conflict with the LTTE.
Further, Unions NSW invite a speaker from the Sydney Tamil Community to a future Unions NSW meeting."
Com. G. Kelly seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
6. From the Australians For Native Title and Reconciliation:- requesting Unions NSW support for their campaign to close the 17 year life expectancy gap between non-indigenous and indigenous Australians.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW donate $100 to help the Close The Gap Campaign."
Com. R. Fortescue seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. NSW Cancer Council - Parramatta Relay for Life
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon advised delegates that Unions NSW would be entering a team in the Relay for Life being held on Saturday, 23rd May at Old Kings Oval, Parramatta.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. B. Johnson seconded.
CARRIED
2. Paid Maternity Leave
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon reported that the YR@W Groups were organising events throughout NSW at 10.30am on Wednesday, 13th May to coincide with the budget announcement on Paid Maternity Leave. He said that the main media event would be held at Drummoyne with all activists who had worked hard during the campaign. An event calendar would be circulated to all affiliates.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. D. Belan seconded.
CARRIED
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:30PM
President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
