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NEWCASTLE BRANCH
P.O. Box 393, Newcastle NSW 2300 Phone: (02) 4921 8985
National website: www.irsa.asn.au NSW website: www.irsnsw.asn.au
Number 6 June 2004
THE NEWCASTLE NEWSLETTER
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please note that all the remaining functions for 2004 will be held at Noah’s-on-the-Beach, The Esplanade, Newcastle. Sincere thanks to Quality Hotels for agreeing to sponsor the Society; we look forward to holding several successful functions at this outstanding venue (whale-watching at no extra charge!).
Annual Finnegan-Rudd Memorial Dinner: Wednesday, 21 July
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Craig Emerson, Federal Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations
Noah’s-on-the-Beach, Newcastle
Come along and hear what Labor has planned if it wins the upcoming election! Contact Secretary to register your attendance.
Annual General Meeting & Luncheon - Friday, 20 August
Guest Speaker: TBA
Noah’s-on-the-Beach, Newcastle
All financial members are encouraged to attend the Meeting (12.00 to 12.30 pm) – others are welcome to come along to the luncheon afterwards. Nominations for office bearers must be received by Friday, 13 August (please contact Secretary).
Workshop: Developments in Employment Legislation
Tuesday, 14 September
Speakers TBA
Noah’s-on-the-Beach, Newcastle
Annual Conference and Dinner:
Friday, 29 October
Theme: IR for Turbulent Times
Noah’s-on-the-Beach, Newcastle
For the first time for many years, we have decided to hold the Conference in town rather than up in the Valley or at the Bay. At this stage, the four main sessions will be:
- Management of Public/Private Partnerships
- The IR Implications of an Ageing Workforce
- Decline in Full-time Work: Growth in non-traditional forms of employment and contract/casual labour
- Transmission of Business: Implications for Employee Entitlements
Please note that, in relation to these functions, the Society is NOT registered for GST.
NEWCASTLE NEWS
Late Ernie Razborsek AM
(Member of the Order of Australia). The Society would like to convey its sincere congratulations to the Razborsek Family on the recent conferring of Ernie’s AM. Ernie was a very valuable and involved member of the Society (as well as a member of the Society’s Executive Committee) until his death in mid-2003. In appreciation of Ernie’s efforts, the Society has recently resolved that the Annual Prize in Negotiation of Advocacy will be presented in his name to a deserving University of Newcastle student at the Annual Conference to be held in October.
Twilight Seminar:
Maternity & Paternity Leave –
Policy, Legal & Workplace
Implications: On Wednesday, 19 May, around 35 people attended the second Twilight Seminar for 2004 held in the Seminar Room of the Sparke Helmore offices on Honeysuckle Drive. The seminar had originally been planned for earlier in the year; however, given the Federal Government's recent budget announcement of the 'maternity allowance' (or breeding bonus), the timing was ideal.
The presenters, Marian Baird, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney, and Juliet Bourke, Co-Director, WORK+LIFE Strategies, provided interesting presentations and led a thought-provoking discussion on the role of women in the workplace, policy directions and workplace implications.
Marian, in her presentation, clarified the existing debates regarding maternity, paternity and parental leave and used survey evidence to argue that:
- there is a low uptake, especially among men, of unpaid parental leave, which questions the relevance of the current policies;
- there is limited availability of paid maternity leave, especially in the private sector, coupled with variable outcomes and increasing disparities;
- Australia should pursue a tripod policy approach with a legislated safety net, bargaining options, and a business case.
Building on Marian's presentation, Juliet discussed how assumptions regarding women, children, work, and flexibility informs and influences choices about work. Juliet presented innovative research on children, fertility, and flexibility to demonstrate that there is increased discretionary effort and satisfaction when work time flexibility (flexible start and finish times) is introduced into the workplace. Juliet argued that there are hidden assumptions and structural barriers influencing choices about work and that key issues are improved child-care and flexibility. Her tips for making things work:
- recognise the structural and attitudinal barriers (a policy and a directive are not sufficient to effect change);
- recognise the strategic advantage;
- create an inclusive culture;
- keep in touch with people on maternity leave;
- be proactive about flexibility;
Question time followed where the discussion branched into the impact of an ageing workforce and the need for improved flexibility with the broadening of carer responsibilities.
Special thanks to Catherine Wilkinson, Partner, Sparke Helmore, and staff, for arranging the venue.
45th NSW State Convention held at The Entrance - 14 to 16 May:
University of Newcastle Bachelor of Business student, Natalie Hicks, as the Convention Scholarship Winner, presented a well-received paper entitled 'Overall Theory and Practice in the Management of Australia’s Ageing Workforce'. Well done, Natalie. Natalie is also employed as an Employee Relations Officer with one of our Corporate members, Hunter Valley Training Company.
Society Email Contact List : Our recent attempt to compile an email contact list proved very successful. As we are a non-profit organization, every saving (including postage!) helps us to focus on our main aim of improving communication on HR and IR issues through seminars and other functions. If you would prefer to receive information on Society events by email, please contact our Secretary (details below).
HUNTER PROFILE
This issue we are pleased to welcome a new Corporate member to the Society who has kindly agreed to provide us with a Profile. If you are a member and would like your Profile to be included in the next Newsletter, please don’t hesitate to contact the Secretary (details below).
Macquarie Generation
Macquarie Generation is a State Owned Corporation (SOC). Two Ministers of the NSW Government hold shares in Macquarie Generation in trust for the State Government. Macquarie Generation commenced trading on 1 March 1996. The staff and assets of the corporation originated from The Electricity Commission of NSW trading as Pacific Power. The assets and staff were transferred from the Electricity Commission by way of Ministerial Order.
The main assets of the Corporation are Liddell and Bayswater power stations located between Singleton and Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley. In addition, a corporate office is located in Lambton, Newcastle. The Corporation employs approximately 610 employees of which approximately 560 are located at the two power stations.
Macquarie Generation is principally involved in the production and trading of bulk electricity. This incorporates ownership, operation and maintenance of Bayswater and Liddell power stations, generation and trading of electricity, and all activities associated therewith including the development and sale of by-products. The power generation process involves the burning of black coal, biomass, waste oils and alternate fuel sources. Output from the power stations accounts for approximately one third of the State demand. Sales and trading is undertaken through the national electricity market.
The Corporation has a Board of Directors, a Chief Executive and Managing Director and a seven-member executive. The executive is representative of fuel and environment management, financial and commercial activity which includes information technology, human resources, marketing and the two power station sites.
HR and IR Functions
The Human Resources Department covers such activities as industrial relations matters, workers compensation, employment issues, equal opportunity and ADB issues, public relations matters, apprentice training, Australian traineeships and University work experience programmes. The group also has responsibility for salary packaging and associated benefits and other human resources activities.
The industrial relations section of the Department manages issues relating to the award (the Macquarie Generation Employees (State) Award 2002) which is a consent award of 3 years’ duration. The Employee Relations Manager, Mr. Ken Petersen, holds primary responsibility for this portfolio.
The primary union representation lies with the CFMEU, ETU, MEU, APESMA, PSA, AIMPE, AWU-FIME and AMWU.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 2004/2005
Please contact us on (02) 4921 8985 or email our Branch Secretary on
Glenda.Winsen@newcastle.edu.au if you have any questions regarding your membership renewal or are interested in joining the Society and would like to receive an application form.
Please note that Membership fees have not increased for the past few years and are currently:
Ordinary: $99.00
Student: $45.00
Corporate: $199.00 (allows for 3 nominated members)
CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP
Corporate membership of the IRS is a great way to guarantee a close link between your organisation and the Society. The following is a list of the existing Corporate members and we thank them for their continued support.
Hunter:
Australian Workers’ Union
Bilbie Dan Solicitors
Drake Recruitment and Training
Helicopter Rescue
HGT Australia
Hunter Area Health Service
Hunter Valley Training Company
Hydro Aluminium, Kurri Kurri
Interim WRC
Lake Macquarie City Council
Macquarie Generation
MRM Solicitors
Mullane & Lindsay Solicitors
Newcastle City Council
Newcastle Newspapers
Newcastle Port Corporation
One Steel
Port Waratah Coal Services
Shop Assistants & Warehouse Employees’ Union
Sparke Helmore Solicitors
TAFE – Hunter Institute
Tomago Aluminium
United Goninan
United Services Union
Univ. of Newcastle (HR Services)
Univ. of Newcastle Union
Weathertex Pty. Ltd.
Websters
Central Coast:
IRAS Pty. Ltd.
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