Meeting held : 29 October 2009
Chair of Meeting: The Acting President, Comrade B. Riordan
Location of the meeting : Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney
UNIONS NSW MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD THURSDAY 29th OCTOBER 2009
IN THE TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM AT
4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6:00PM
The Acting President, Com. B. Riordan occupied the Chair.
PRESENT: - M. Lennon [Secretary], C. Christodoulou [Assistant Secretary].
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved;-
"That Com. B. Riordan act as the chair for the meeting".
Com. K. Sullivan seconded.
CARRIED
MINUTES: -
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be received".
Com. P. Sinclair seconded.
CARRIED
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved: -
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted".
Com. G. Kelly seconded.
CARRIED
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for: - M. Issanchon, A. Kerslake, J. Irving, B. Kruse, B. Smith, E. Cody, J. Knight , J Kiedja.
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the apologies be received and accepted".
Com. G. McLean seconded.
CARRIED
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From NSW Teachers Federation:- regarding the use of the Department of Education and Training's video conferencing facilities. The NSW Teachers' Federation sought the assistance of Unions NSW in obtaining agreement from the NSW Labor Government that unions with members employed by the NSW Government have access to the use of NSW Government video conferencing facilities to communicate with members, consistent with government agreement to the use by unions and union members of other communication devices and systems owned by government departments such as telephones, fax machines, computers, e-mail and the internet.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW assist the NSW Teachers Federation in obtaining permission to use the DET Video Conferencing Facilities."
Com. P. Bradley seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. From the Save our Sydney Ferries Campaign Team:- thanking the unions and friends for their support on the successful launch of 'Gotta love Sydney Ferries' at Darling Street Wharf on 23rd October. The Save our Sydney Ferries Campaign was gathering momentum and they appreciated the support received from unions and the community. The Gotta love Sydney Ferries campaign will be a focus at the Labor Conference. A public meeting is planned for 7th November for the residents of Inner West who have supported the campaign for Sydney Ferries to remain in public hands.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulates all those unions and community groups who participated in the Gotta love Sydney Ferries Campaign launch at Balmain on 23 October."
Com. C. Bolger seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
3. From The NSW Teachers Federation and the South Coast Labor Council:- regarding the changes to TAFE teachers' working conditions. The Federation noted that on the 28th October the Upper House of the NSW Parliament carried a resolution supporting TAFE teachers and condemning the NSW Government. It called on the Premier to intervene to resolve the dispute. The South Coast Labor Council resolved to support, if called upon their affiliate, an escalation of the campaign in whatever ways possible within
its power and resources. Further, Council resolves to showcase this dispute in the regional campaign for better services and strongly urges Unions NSW to make this dispute a centrepiece of NSW Better Services Campaign as well.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW reiterates its previous resolution on this matter which is to support the NSW Teachers Federation and to organise an urgent meeting with the Premier of NSW as requested."
Com. P. Bradley seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From the Finance Sector Union:- congratulating Unions NSW for organising the OHS Harmonisation rally in Martin Place on 28th October 2009. They said that the rally proved to be positive and many found it a moving a powerful experience. The Union said that the speakers at the rally were inspiring and that the FSU would continue to organise around this issue by educating and asking their members to support this cause by signing the OH&S postcards. The FSU said they were proud to be one of the many unions who organised participants and attendees and had their flags flying with the rest of the union movement to support the retention of the NSW laws.
Com. M. Lennon moved the Executive Recommendation:-
"That the correspondence be received and Unions NSW congratulates all of those unions who participated in the OHS Harmonization Rally.
Further, we call upon the Federal Government to honour its commitment not to reduce safety standards as part of the harmonization of OH&S Laws."
Com. K. Sullivan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS
1. Pink Ribbon Fund Raiser
The Assistant Secretary, Com. C. Christodoulou reported that $1000 had been raised at the event with NUW, ETU and Unions NSW matching the $1000 - total amount raised $3000.
The Acting Chairperson, Com. B. Riordan said the ETU would also match the Unions NSW $1,000 donation.
Com. Christodoulou thanked Unions NSW staff members Alisha Wilde, Brad Anderson, Antonio Fernandez, Rose Docwra and Carmel Delprat for their help on the night.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. K. Sullivan seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
2. Refugees
The Secretary, Com. M. Lennon outlined his concerns at the way the current Federal Government had dealt with the asylum seekers on board the Oceanic Viking. He called on the Prime Minister to bring the asylum seekers to Christmas Island for processing.
Com. M. Lennon moved:-
"That the report be received and noted."
Com. B. Tubner seconded the resolution.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Ark Tribe - Support Ark Protest
Time: 11.00 am
Date: Friday, 30th October 2009
Assemble: Trades Hall Auditorium, 377 Sussex St,
Speakers: Mark Lennon (Secretary, Unions NSW),
John Sutton (CFMEU) and Lee Rhiannon (The Greens)
2. Book Launch - John Joseph Cahill
The Hon. Tony Kelly and 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: 3.30pm Tuesday 10 November 2009
Venue: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney
RSVP - Johno Johnson 0419 243 285
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:30PM
Acting President:____________________________________
About Unions NSW
