Meeting held : 12 November 1998
Chair of Meeting: The President, Com. J. Whelan
LABOR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MEETING HELD 12TH NOVEMBER, 1998 IN THE
TRADES HALL AUDITORIUM
AT 4 GOULBURN STREET, SYDNEY, AT 6.07 P.M.
PRESENT: J. Robertson (Acting Secretary), M. Lennon, N. Steer (Executive Officers).
The Acting Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be received."
Com. B. Hawkins seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved:-
"That the minutes as circulated be adopted."
Com. J. Cahill seconded.
CARRIED
CREDENTIALS:
For this evening's meeting:
From Electrical Trades Union of Australia, NSW Branch - appointing P. Sinclair in place of W. Wooldridge.
From Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - appointing P. Jones, K. Price in place of J. Isaacs, M. Brown.
Moved and seconded:-
"That the credentials be received
and the delegates welcomed."
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received and accepted from: M. Costa, G. Gregory, B. Plain, B. Harris, A. Peters, G. Sargeant, K. Campbell, G. Donnelly, G. Dwyer, B. King.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
1. From Industrial Registry, Registry of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales - advising Labor Council of the intention of the Commission to establish a "Users Group" which would provide a forum for the people who regularly appear before, or who are most affected by, the decisions of the Commission. The Registrar stated that the President, The Hon. Mr Justice Wright, had been concerned about this issue for some time and that it was envisaged such a group would be broadly representative of the "users" of the Commission. The Registrar said that while the group would include representatives of the legal profession and of the industrial organisations and advocates who regularly practised at the Commission, the President did not want the group to become narrowly focused on the legalities of the rules and procedure. Rather the "Users' Group" would provide a forum where the Commission could hear the concerns of those people who used the it, and where the Commission could raise its ideas and concerns with its users. The Registrar requested Labor Council nominate four suitable persons, for the President to consider inviting to an inaugural meeting, to represent the interests of unions of employees.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council nominate Assistant Secretary, Mr John Robertson; AWU Secretary, Mr Russ Collison; PSA Secretary, Ms Janet Good; and ALHMU Secretary, Mr Chris Raper, or their nominee, for a period of 12 months."
Com. M. Williamson seconded.
CARRIED
2. From Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - advising that the Minister for Industrial Relations, The Hon. Peter Reith, MP, had reintroduced into Parliament, legislation to exempt small business from the unfair dismissal provisions of the Workplace Relations Act. The Union said it viewed this move as another example of the Government's total disregard for the hard won conditions of workers and stated that at a time when an increasing number of workers were employed by small businesses, the Government should be seeking to enhance their rights not trying to remove them. The Union requested Labor Council write to the Minister expressing its grave concern about the legislation and the continued attack by the Government upon workers rights generally.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council write to the Minister detailing objections to the proposed legislation."
Com. B. Tubner seconded.
CARRIED
3. From NSW/ACT Independent Education Union - advising that the New South Wales Government had, this week, introduced the Teaching Standards Bill into the New South Wales Parliament. The Union said it had long supported the establishment of a Teachers Registration Board in New South Wales with broad functions to enhance the status of the teaching profession and to contribute to the quality of education provided in all schools across the State. However, the NSW IEU advised that the Bill which had been introduced into the Parliament was severely flawed and broke a number of key commitments given by the Government over the last twelve months. The Union requested Labor Council convene a meeting with the Premier, The Hon. RJ Carr, MP, and the NSW Teachers Federation to discuss both the unions' commitment to seeking serious amendments to the Bill in an effort to retrieve the proper professional objectives which are worthy of support.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council seek a meeting with the Premier as requested."
Com. D. Shearman seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
4. From New South Wales Department of Education and Training, Educational Development Directorate - advising that Labor Council had been nominated to provide a member of the Curriculum Advisory Committee of the New South Wales Board of Vocational and Educational Training (BVET). The Department said the Curriculum Advisory Committee was the peak New South Wales body advising the Minister on the planning, resourcing, development and design of curriculum for vocational education and training. It provided advice on strategic directions in relation to VET curriculum and endorsed state curriculum priorities and curriculum products. The Department requested Labor Council nominate a representative to be a member of the BVET Curriculum Advisory Committee.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council nominate Executive Assistant, Mr Michael Gadiel."
Com. J. O'Brien seconded.
CARRIED
5. From Community and Public Sector Union, New South Wales Branch - advising Council that Centrelink had announced its intention to cut up to 6000 jobs, over the next three years, and that these cuts would occur to an organisation which was already struggling under excessive workloads since the CES was abolished and functions were transferred into Centrelink. The Union stated the Howard Government had been responsible for cutting 88,200 jobs from the Commonwealth Government and the Centrelink cuts would translate into a loss of around 700 jobs - bringing the total number of jobs cut from the Commonwealth Government in New South Wales to approximately 34,500. The Union said it believed that every Australian in receipt of a Centrelink benefit would be affected by these cuts and union members and their families, who may need to access services from Centrelink, would suffer. The Union requested Labor Council's support for its campaign to overturn the Government's decision to arbitrarily slash our members' jobs.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council offer its support to the CPSU in this matter."
Com. B. Sexton seconded.
CARRIED
6. From the Australian Services Union, New South Wales Clerical and Administrative Branch - strongly opposing the simple theory espoused by Des Moore to pay low paid employees even less to create further employment. The Union said it is a pity that Des Moore, and others of his ilk, do not discuss a reduction in pay for the likes of George Trumbell and co. The Union stated if wages were reduced this would reduce the capacity of workers to feed, clothe and provide reasonable homes for themselves and their dependents. The Union called on the Labor Council to reject the proposal that the only way to improve job opportunities is to cut wages at the lower end, and request a Senate inquiry in relation to this matter.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council call on the ALP to initiate a Senate inquiry should the Government seek to implement such a proposal."
Com. M. Want seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
7. From Australian Council of Trade Unions - requesting Council advise its affiliates of the 1999 Organising Works Program which would be held in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The ACTU requested that affiliates interested in participating in the 1999 Organising Works Program advise the ACTU as soon as possible.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and circulated to affiliates for their information."
Com. M. Thistlethwaite seconded.
CARRIED
8. From Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union, NSW Postal & Telecommunications Branch - advising of recent developments in its campaign for the introduction of adequate security in Australia Post's retail outlets. The Union advised that there had been a spate of armed hold-ups and members in the retail operations of Australia Post were distressed that more of them would become victims of such crimes. The CEPU further advised that the Manager of Australia Post Security and Investigation Service was no longer prepared to communicate the details of armed robberies, and associated security issues, to the Union because they had taken their campaign to the media. The Union quoted correspondence from Australia Post who stated that because the Union had gone to the media on this issue, it had increased the likelihood of armed robbery. The CEPU stated they found this kind of reaction by Australia Post ridiculous as its most recent advertising encouraged people to use the post office rather than banks. The Union believed Australia Post's refusal to address the issue of security in post offices demonstrates an act of gross negligence and their attempt to blame the union demonstrates Australia Post's complete abrogation of its responsibilities for the safety of its staff and customers.
Com. Robertson moved Executive Recommendation:
"That the correspondence be received and Labor Council support the CEPU in its campaign.
Further, Labor Council condemn Australia Post for its failure to take responsibility for the safety of its employees."
Com. J. Metcher seconded and spoke to the resolution.
CARRIED
REPORTS:
Executive Assistant, Com. Michael Gadiel, gave a report on the Labor Council submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission Inquiry into Junior Rates of pay. Com. Gadiel outlined the thrust of the Labor Council's submission being firstly, that the adult rates of pay in the first instance should be moved from 21 years of age to 18 on the basis that society now recognises 18 year olds as full adults, almost universally. The submission stated that an 18 year old is:
- obligated to vote as per commonwealth and state electoral acts;
- able to take out loans and access credit cards;
- treated as a full adult in criminal sentencing and punishment;
- able to marry; and
- able to hold and lease property.
The submission further argues that age based rates of pay are outdated and discriminatory and Labor Council's primary assertion is that the most practical and desirable means for replacing junior wages with a non-discriminatory alternative is to complete the process of developing a set of competency based classifications in each industry.
Com. Gadiel said that the submission further argues that there will be some industries that engage low and semi-skilled workers where the complete abolition of junior rates should occur and full adult rates should be applied. In all situations, the removal of junior rates should be dealt with on an award by award basis.
The Acting Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved:
"That the report be received."
Com. V. Herman seconded.
CARRIED
The Acting Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, moved:
"That the report be adopted."
Com. V. Higgins seconded.
CARRIED
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Acting Secretary, Com. J. Robertson, announced that the tunnel under the Cooks River was now complete and to celebrate this important new phase of the this project, the Transfield Bouygues Joint Venture, together with its major sub-contractor, Rail Services Australia, were holding a tunnel walkthrough. He said tours would be held from 9.30am to 4.00pm on Sunday, 13 December, 1998 and encouraged affiliates to join in.
Com. Robertson advised that tunnel visitors would be asked to make a coin donation to the Construction Industry Drug and Alcohol Foundation.
COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 6.46PM
About Unions NSW
