PRESELECTION CANDIDATE GUIDE - Greens NSW · I support unions being able to determine their own...

THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS WORKING GROUPOF THE GREENS NSW

PRESENTS:

PRESELECTION CANDIDATE GUIDEFOR THE 2018 CASUAL VACANCY PRESELECTION AND 2019 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TICKET PRESELECTION

CONTENTS:

- ABIGAIL BOYD, PAGES 1-3; - CATE FAEHRMANN, PAGES 4-6; - DAVID SHOEBRIDGE, PAGES 7-9; - DAWN WALKER, PAGES 10-12; - SIGNE WESTERBERG, PAGES 13-15; - NON-RESPONDENTS, PAGE 16.

ABIGAIL BOYDBOTH PRESELECTIONS

JUST TRANSITIONS

UNION RIGHTS

I believe in Just Transitions toward renewable energy: STRONGLY AGREE

What would you do as a Greens MLC to work for just transitions in relation work, workers and unions in a sustainable economy?We have to restore TAFE resourcing to the level required to retrain workers moving out of the fossil fuel industry into other work, including manufacturing and construction industries, to provide a range of high-skill, high-pay renewable energy work. A free edu-cation system is a bedrock to a just transition away from fossil fuels.

There should be individual plans for each town impacted by closures, demonstrating the support that will be put in place for it to transition to sustainable industries.

I’d also argue for a levy on fossil fuels to be paid by mining, and oil and gas corpo-rations in particular to build a fund to transition workers and provide investment for renewable energy and other sustainable industries.

Unionists should have the right to strike without seeking Fair Work Commission approval: STRONGLY AGREE

What concrete measures do you think the Greens can and should take in the NSW parliament to expand workers’ ability to take industrial action? What limitations, if any, do you think there should be on industrial action?

Unions and union officers should be accountable to workers, not government commissions: STRONGLY AGREE

We need an unambiguous right of entry for unions including no pre-no-tification requirements and no capacity to impose any penalty on any union officials simply seeking access to member’s workplaces. We should increase the right of access to union officials under the Work Health and Safety Act to allow union officials to investigate issues, to discuss matters or to recruit members to improve safety outcomes.

How do you think the current right of entry powers for unions should be changed? How can they be made stronger through state legislation?

MPs can provide a boost to striking workers by visiting pickets and using Parliament to raise awareness of industrial action. These practical approaches are often more important than any legislative measure.

With support from the Greens membership I’d relish the opportunity to campaign for the NSW government to wind back its referral of industrial relations laws to the Commonwealth. That would mean that NSW would be the same as Western Australia, where WA retains their own industrial relations system. If that happened we could argue for a significant re-write of industrial laws in NSW including getting rid of restrictions on right of entry, a legislated immunity for people that choose to go on strike for any reason (such as to protect the environment, a social boycott and/or solidarity strikes for others) and state-wide bargaining so that stronger unionised workplaces can secure increases for less organised workplaces.

The only restriction on the right to strike should be when lives are genuinely at risk or there is some other catastrophic impact of a strike. In those circumstances though employers should be required to have an equal number of employees on its Board to ensure that the underlying causes of strikes are minimised and if possible avoided. Ultimately, strikes are good for society; they’re a source of progressive change, wealth re-distribution and conflict resolution.

What would you do as a Greens MLC to support the right of workers to determine how their unions are organised and how union representatives are elected?I support unions being able to determine their own affairs, but I don’t support socially conservative unions like the SDA effectively having a leadership dynasty with little apparent input from its very large membership. To balance those issues I would meet with unions to listen to what officials and members have to say on the matter. I’d con-sult and work closely with the IRWG to align the views of the Greens as a party with the views of unions as far as possible, noting that at the end of the day and, if it came to it, I would happily take direction from the SDC.

SECURE WORK

What legislative measures do you believe can be taken in NSW to halt the trend of casualisa-tion? What industries do you think can and should be targeted in this regard?

I believe that secure work is a fundamental right that should be guaranteed in legislation: STRONGLY AGREE

I believe casual employment should largely be abolished. Genuine seasonal workers should work on fixed time arrangements by the day, week or month. After more than a few months of this, the notion of “casual” clearly isn’t and permanent employment for these people should be mandated.

To get there we need to escalate and expand automatic casual conversion to perma-nent employment in state awards and NSW Government contractors and agencies in the federal system.

We should also make the employment of casuals the option of last resort by increas-ing the casual loading from 20-25% to 40-50%. The hospitality, retail and education industries are ripe for reform by providing more secure employment through the eradi-cation of casual employment.PAGE 1

GREENS IR POLICY REFORM

THE GREENS AND UNIONS I am willing to work to strengthen the relationship between Greens and unions:STRONGLY AGREE

What links and relationships do you have with trade unions and how will you improve the par-liamentary team’s working relationship with the union movement?

I’m conscious that a significant portion of the Greens membership are union members. So, if I’m elected I’d seek to understand unions more closely by set-ting up working groups relevant to my portfolios that draw on the experience of Green unionists with a connection to those portfolios.

Which trade unions do you see yourself engaging with the most as an MLC? What trade unions have you engaged with in the past? What has been the impact of your work with these unions?

I’d firstly encourage my staff to join the PSA, and would join in solidarity as well. I’m very interested in portfolios relevant to the sectors the ASU covers, so would most likely interact with them a fair bit. I’d like to engage with the Unem-ployed Workers Union to amplify the voices of people who are severely impact-ed by wealth inequality and job insecurity.

I worked with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association to highlight the RN 24/7 aged care campaign as a candidate during the 2016 Federal Election, and again worked with the NSWNMA in the campaign to save Wyong Hospital from privatisation (including doing media together). I have met with the NSW Teachers Federation in relation to campaigning to protect TAFE on the Central Coast, securing TV news coverage of the meeting.

I have a history of union activism:AGREE

The Greens should accept support and donations from unions:DISAGREE

Unions have a right to be involved in election campaigns:STRONGLY AGREE

Previous: SDA

Current: ASU, APHEDA

What is your view on union donations to political parties? What do you think the difference is between union donations and corporate donations? What part do you believe unions should play in election campaigns?We should accept union support but not union donations. Individual union members can donate to the Greens if they’d like to. There’s a genuine strategic question at play when it comes to the Greens accepting donations from unions; the perception of us being captured by accepting union donations could compromise our ability to ad-vocate for union rights, particularly if we’re arguing that unions are beneficial for the economy (as I’d like to do).

I do understand that taking union donations is a very different thing to taking dona-tions from corporations. There’s a pretty clear power differential between corporations and workers, even in the form of organised labour. Plus, unions are workers’ advocates, not lobbyists pursuing greater returns for businesses and shareholders.

Unions should be able participate in election campaigns; they’re workers’ advocates. There shouldn’t be restrictions on unions’ ability to mobilise politically.

I think that a stronger alliance between unions and the Greens would be a good thing - but we need to ensure that the greens maintain a level of independence from unions, while embracing union members in our ranks and encouraging more unionists to join.

Which industrial relations policy of the Greens, state or federal, would you say you disagree with the most? And why?

I don’t really disagree with our policies, but federal policy should be stronger regarding union right of entry. Additionally, AG Aim 23 calling for a legislated minimum of five weeks annual leave is below the ACTU’s demand of six weeks, so that should be upped.What union(s) have you belonged to, and what forms of

union activism have you engaged in? Which aim or aims under the Greens NSW work and industrial relations policy is a priority for you? Which aim/s do you believe should be priorities for the Greens NSW in the coming years?

1. Aim 27. The right to strike is critical to a democratic society and a nimble economy.

2. Aim 22. Eliminating the gender pay gap.

3. New Aim - Ensuring a minimum 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave.

PAGE 2

IF ELECTED...

As a Greens MLC, I will support the Change the Rules campaign:STRONGLY AGREE

Unionism and industrial relations are a priority for me:STRONGLY AGREE

As a Greens MLC, I will ensure that the people I employ are subject to the same good treatment as the Greens insist upon in their policies.STRONGLY AGREE

As a Greens MLC, I will encourage the people I employ to join their union:STRONGLY AGREE

I am intending to put my hand up for the Industrial Relations Portfolio:NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE

If you had the industrial relations portfolio, what would your approach be on this topic and what would be the priority areas? Conservatives have been very successful at making unions look like villains and the enemy of a well-functioning economy. It’s our job to cor-rect that by making it clear that over time it’s been the unions who have not only ensured better pay and conditions for workers, not only pushed against powerful vested interests to achieve vital social justice reforms, but also pushed economies towards transition. When corporations can’t grow profits from exploiting employees and pushing labour costs down, they are forced to innovate and find new productive ways to make prof-its.

THANK YOU TO ABIGAIL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONSIDER AND ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS

PAGE 3

CATE FAEHRMANNCASUAL VACANCY PRESELECTION

JUST TRANSITIONS

UNION RIGHTS


What would you do as a Greens MLC to work for just transitions in relation work, workers and unions in a sustainable economy?

I would work with the IRWG on a strategy to build alliances between unions on Just Transitions. When I was CEO of the Nature Conservation Council I worked with Tony Maher, CFMEU and Sally McManus, ASU on a climate / union alliance, as well as John Robertson when he was Secretary of Unions NSW. It’s imperative that Greens are building solid alliances with unions on energy/climate job transition solutions early on so that when coal plant and mine closures occure, we are there as part of a strong alliance with a plan for workers. This will assist in shifting the public perception of The Greens as anti-jobs, particularly when it comes to environment and climate change.




Any legislative strategy should be worked out in consultation with rele-vant unions and the IRWG. We would take our lead from them in terms of limitations.


The principle of unions being able to enter workplaces to protect work-ers and make workplaces safe is a core part of our IR policy. The detail of how right of entry powers can be made stronger should be done in consultation with the IRWG and unions.

What would you do as a Greens MLC to support the right of workers to determine how their unions are organised and how union representatives are elected?

I would support workers in determining how their unions are organised and how union reps are elected, however ultimately it is up to union reps and workers to approach us as to whether they want us to be involved and how. Strong, democratic unions are those where the rank and file are empowered to have a say in how their union is organised and how union reps are elected. The Greens should be encouraging empower-ment of rank and file union members, by joining unions and working on this change from within.

SECURE WORK


I believe that secure work is a fundamental right that should be guaranteed in legislation:STRONGLY AGREE

Making casual workers permanent after a period of 6 months. Indus-tries to target would be manufacturing, retail, hospitality.

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THE GREENS AND UNIONSI am willing to work to strengthen the relationship between Greens and unions:STRONGLY AGREE

What links and relationships do you have with trade unions and how will you improve the parliamentary team’s working relationship with the union movement?

I have worked with Alex Claassens and RTBU officials on rail issues when I had the transport portfolio. I have worked with Sally McManus when she was Gen Sec of the ASU, and Tony Maher, CFMEU, now ACTU on a civil society climate alliance. While in Richard’s office I have worked with Annie Butler, ANMF Secretary. Paul Murphy MEAA. Correne Hay-thorpe, AEU and others and have a good relationship with them.


RTBU for transport issues is the main union I would be working with. The PSA to fight against cuts to the NPWS staff.

I have a history of union activism:NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE

The Greens should accept support and donations from unions:NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE

Unions have a right to be involved in election campaigns:AGREE

ASU & CPSU - ordinary member.

What is your view on union donations to political parties? What do you think the difference is between union donations and corporate donations? What part do you believe unions should play in election campaigns?

Whether the party accepts donations from unions is a matter for mem-bers to decide. However, unions, as the collective voice of ordinary workers, should be able to participate fully in the political process. They should be able to campaign for workers pay and conditions in an elec-tion and communicate to voters which political parties will look after their rights.


None.

What union(s) have you belonged to, and what forms of union activism have you engaged in?

Which aim or aims under the Greens NSW work and industrial relations policy is a priority for you? Which aim/s do you believe should be priorities for the Greens NSW in the coming years?

As a feminist, and as the MP who will hold the women’s portfolio should I be preselected to fill the casual vacancy, eliminating the gender pay would be a big priority for me.

PAGE 5

IF ELECTED...


Unionism and industrial relations are a priority for me:AGREE



I am intending to put my hand up for the Industrial Relations Portfolio:STRONGLY DISAGREE

If you had the industrial relations portfolio, what would your approach be on this topic and what would be the priority areas?

N/A

THANK YOU TO CATE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONSIDER AND ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS

PAGE 6

DAVID SHOEBRIDGE2019 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TICKET PRESELECTION

JUST TRANSITIONS

UNION RIGHTS


What would you do as a Greens MLC to work for just transitions in relation work, workers and unions in a sustainable economy?We need to shut the fossil fuel industry. We need to shut it extremely quickly. However we will not gain the essential political support to do this unless we have a just transition plan for the communities most impact-ed.

When we are talking to communities, unions and working people about shutting down the fossil fuel industry we need to be able to demonstrate that we care about the people this policy will impact first - that is the workers and communities who rely on the industry for employment, income and in some cases for the very viability of their community.

It starts with the transfer of the subsidies paid to the fossil fuel industries back in to the communities. This must include significant investment in public enterprises in the areas most impacted, starting with renew-able energy projects. Any just transition plan must also be developed with the close engagement of the miners and other workers who will need re-employment and assistance.

I believe if the public takes a working person’s livelihood from them then we have an obligation to then stand with them and find them alternative and rewarding employment. Especially in the regions this will require a significant investment in public enterprise and public services.




I don’t support governments placing limits on the right to strike. Strike action has given us public holidays, annual leave rights, workers compensation, the weekend and a raft of other essential workplace rights. Industrial action has also given us a better world outside the workplace with the Green Bans movement that saved green open space, urban bushland and the Rocks, and the proud union history of supporting the peace and anti-nuclear movement.

At a state level the Greens need to maintain our principled stance of abolishing the legislative cap on public sector wages and remove the restrictions on strikes by emergency service work-ers.

At a Federal level the UnFair Work Act needs to be repealed and rewritten. In that regard it is essential that the Greens give unambiguous support to the ACTU’s campaign to change the rules. The ABCC needs to be abolished, and the UnFair Work Commission needs to be radically reformed to make it genuinely fair, rather than a rubber stamp for employers.


Union officials need open rights of entry to workplaces. This is an essential right acknowledged in interna-tional law and it is a disgrace we do not have it in Australia. The absence of an unambiguous right of entry for union officials only helps employers who seek to underpay workers or who have work safety issues. In dangerous workplaces such as the construction and mining industries there is no doubt that limiting union right of entry on safety matters has caused loss of life.

The right to entry can be strengthened at a state level by amendments to the Work Health Safety Legislation that allow a general right of entry to union officials to ensure workplaces are safe, rather than the very limited ability now that requires a union official to “reasonably suspect … a contravention has occurred.” This restric-tion is designed to prevent union officials doing spot checks to require WHS compliance. It puts lives at risk and needs to be removed.

For all public sector workers the NSW Industrial Relations Act should be amended to give a general right of entry for not just WHS compliance but also compliance with industrial entitlements such as hours of work and remuneration.What would you do as a Greens MLC to support the right of workers to determine how their unions are organised and how union representatives are elected?I am a member of the PSA and have always participated in union elections. I have been an active supporter of the Greens Industrial Relations Working Group (IRWG). The IRWG has given grassroots Greens unionists a place to exchange ideas as well as to set campaigning priorities for my office as the Greens NSW IR Spokes-person and the party more broadly.

I don’t believe the party wants its MPs to actively intervene inside union elections. My role is directed at working with active and accountable union officials, delegates and members and encouraging progressive voices, not just during union elections but at all times.I have publicly supported, and will continue to do so, democratic groups within unions that are seeking to challenge undemocratic union leaderships, for example the RAFFWU challenge to the undemocratic SDA.

I support a light legislative framework for the operation of unions (a far lighter framework than is seen for example in the UnFair Work Act and associated regulations that has thousands and thousands of pages of deliberately confusing, expensive and restricting regulations on internal union behaviour and reporting).

The legislative framework should require democratic election of union officials, compulsory disclosure of members of union finances and a limited number of other essential standards to keep unions democratic and accountable. The framework should be designed to empower the membership, not simply hamper the union’s operation with costly and ineffectual regulation.

SECURE WORKWhat legislative measures do you believe can be taken in NSW to halt the trend of casualisa-tion? What industries do you think can and should be targeted in this regard?

I believe that secure work is a funda-mental right that should be guaranteed in legislation: STRONGLY AGREE

The NSW government can immediately legislate to ensure that any employer or industry receiving state gov-ernment funding must have decent employment standards, including giving their staff a right to permanent work.

The NSW government should also lead the way as an employer of choice with rights for casuals to convert to permanent staffing as well as the right to flexible working conditions. Permanent employment with flex-ible working hours should be a basic right. It is a key part of giving greater job security especially to people with commitments as carers.

My office has developed and promoted the concept of portable long service rights for all working people. This would see every working person, whether permanent,casual or contract, accruing long service leave for every day worked. The entitlement would be paid into a statutory fund and after 10 years working in any industry would be an accrued entitlement for every worker.


THE GREENS AND UNIONS I am willing to work to strengthen the relationship between Greens and unions:STRONGLY AGREE

What links and relationships do you have with trade unions and how will you improve the parliamentary team’s working relationship with the union movement?I have strong links with many unions including the FBEU, CFMEU, PSA, RTBU, FSU, MUA, the Nurses and Midwives Association, MEAA, Teachers Federation, ASU, ETU, TWU and NTEU. We will always consult with unions when matters concerning their members’ interests are at stake.

However our final position on legislation and policy is determined by Grens policy and the direction given by Greens members, including with the input of the IRWG.

I also have good relations with Unions NSW and many individual union members, delegates and officials across the board. These relationships are strengthened when I work with unions on parliamentary inquiries such as those into workplace bullying and workers compensation.

I consider a good number of the union officials, delegates and members that I work with not only colleagues but also friends. We share a deep belief in the role of unions and the power of collective action.

Which trade unions do you see yourself engaging with the most as an MLC? What trade unions have you engaged with in the past? What has been the impact of your work with these unions?Space constraints mean this is not a comprehensive list. I engage with different unions on different campaigns. The CFMEU is always a key stakeholder on workers compensation issues, however we have also worked very productively with the FBEU and PSA on compo matters. Fighting for fair workers compensation is a passion of mine.On questions of public education, the rights of students and the need to save TAFE I have worked closely with the NTEU and the Teachers Federation. In my work opposing privatisation I engage with every union impacted but especially the ETU on power privatisation and the PSA on the many efforts this government has made to privatise public sector agency and enterprises including jails.On opposing government secrecy, supporting journalists working conditions I work with the MEAA.

I have a history of union activism:STRONGLY AGREE

The Greens should accept support and donations from unions:NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE


I was a member of the AWU when I worked in uni breaks every Easter and Christmas at the Royal Easter Show and Royal Wine Show. That’s when I first learnt how collective action empowers working people. As a young worker I had good penalty rates, fair working hours and other benefits like travel allowance. I could never have bargained for those on my own and I knew it. I gladly paid my dues.

When I worked as a Judge’s associate in the Family Court in Parramat-ta I was the only union member (CPSU) on my floor and took part in a stop work in my first month working there.

Since being in Parliament I have kept up my union membership, now as a member of the PSA, and remain proud to be union.

What is your view on union donations to political parties? What do you think the difference is between union donations and corporate donations? What part do you believe unions should play in election campaigns?I fully support the right of unions to donate to politics and political parties. The only way that working people can hope to stand up to the concentrated wealth of corporations and the super-wealthy is by joining togeth-er. This includes joining together with their unions to make lawful donations to political parties.

However I do not support the Greens accepting financial support form unions because it will be seen to compromise our party when we stand up, as we always should, and demand a fundamental changing of the rules in support of unions and working people.

I strongly support the Greens, state and Federal, seeking endorsements and political support from unions and working closely with unions and their members in what I hope will be a united struggle to force fairness onto our political and economic system.

At the end of the day, this solidarity and mutual campaigning is the strongest and most worthwhile link we can form with the union movement.

Which industrial relations policy of the Greens, state or federal, would you say you disagree with the most? And why?Both the state and the federal IR policies are strong documents and I support them.

If there is a critique of them it is that they could both be strengthened by:

- making separate and unambiguous statements supporting an unambiguous right to strike - including the right to strike for industry wide industrial outcomes, environmental and social issues and in solidarity with other workplaces or industries, and - including a right to government income support for striking workers


Which aim or aims under the Greens NSW work and industrial relations policy is a priority for you? Which aim/s do you believe should be priorities for the Greens NSW in the coming years? In a wealthy and developed country with increasing automation and increasing AI taking away many jobs we need to reimagine the role of work. To respond to this challenge requires a rethink-ing of work.

This is why the very first statement in our NSW Greens IR policy needs to be a priority. It reads:

1. Work must be safe, socially useful and personally rewarding - these criteria are just as import-ant as profitability and efficiency.this we need to

This together with the aims of job security and fairness (maybe even a cap on CEO remunera-tion) are solid markers for our IR campaigning.

PAGE 8

IF ELECTED...


Unionism and industrial relations are a priority for me:STRONGLY AGREE



I am intending to put my hand up for the Industrial Relations Portfolio:STRONGLY AGREE


I have the IR portfolio and I am ready to be judged on my track record.

I broke the Parliament with a 6 hour filibuster in support of workplace and union rights.

I have been a part of major union wins including the historic FBEU strike action that the Greens turned into legislation protecting all emergency service workers’ compensation rights.

I continue to foster strong links between the union movement, which is the largest collective organisation in the country, and the party.

All of my IR work is a priority for my office, but achieving fair workers compensation is perhaps my strongest passion. This, together with campaigning for more collective union action in support of broader social justice and environmental goals, especially tackling climate change, are priorities for me.

THANK YOU TO DAVID FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONSIDER AND ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS

PAGE 9

DAWN WALKER2019 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TICKET

JUST TRANSITIONS

UNION RIGHTS


What would you do as a Greens MLC to work for just transitions in relation work, workers and unions in a sustainable economy?We know that finally, economies are looking forward to world without coal. Australian thermal coal is facing systemic decline. Which is a good thing for the climate but will hit workers hard.

There seems to be two important strategies to protect workers; securing rehabilitation money from mining companies and using these funds to begin the transition by providing employment in the job rich area of rehabilitating mines. We also need to be retraining workers for the industries of the future. This is where a robust TAFE system is needed and I’ll be doing everything I can to defend our TAFE from further cuts and attacks by this Government. Training needs to be responsive and, in many cases, hands on for the jobs of the future. We need a robust TAFE system for this.




We should be speaking up loud and clear on this. When workers are denied the right to withdraw their labour we are in worrying times. This cannot be tolerated. It’s for the workers to decide what industrial action is appropriate, not the politicians.


I agree that we need to legislate for stronger right of entry powers for unions to protect workplace safety and workplace rights.

What would you do as a Greens MLC to support the right of workers to determine how their unions are organised and how union representatives are elected?I think that it’s very important that trade unionists have the right to have their union dues deducted from their wages directly. It was crippling to the union movement when this right was removed.

As the TAFE spokesperson I also think it’s important to ensure that relevant training and skills development is made available to all workers, including apprentices, trainees, part-time and casual employees, without loss of pay or cost to workers.

SECURE WORK



I agree with the unions that significant legislative changes are needed to reverse the casualisation of the Australian workforce and the need for a new definition of casual work, which includes workers who have a reasonable expectation of ongoing work and who are completing regular shifts. I’d imagine the hospitality industry would be a good place to kick this off.

Unions also want legislative changes to give casual workers the ability to automatically convert to permanent employment after six months with the same employer.

PAGE 10


THE GREENS AND UNIONS

I am willing to work to strengthen the relationship between Greens and unions:STRONGLY AGREE

What links and relationships do you have with trade unions and how will you improve the parlia-mentary team’s working relationship with the union movement?

I have worked closely with the NSW Teachers Federation and the Health Services Union in my role as TAFE and Health Spokesperson.


See above.

I have a history of union activism:STRONGLY AGREE

The Greens should accept support and donations from unions:NO ANSWER

Unions have a right to be involved in election campaigns:NO ANSWER

Workplace delegate for CPSU

What is your view on union donations to political parties? What do you think the difference is between union donations and corporate donations? What part do you believe unions should play in election campaigns?These are important issues that I would be guided by the membership in any policy formulation.


I’m always guided by the membership and the IRWG in these matters.



I think building strong working relationships with unions in our work is fundamentally important to all our campaigns.

PAGE 11

IF ELECTED...


Unionism and industrial relations are a priority for me:NO ANSWER



I am intending to put my hand up for the Industrial Relations Portfolio:NO ANSWER


My approach would be to form strong relationships with the union movement across the board and build trust and working lines of communication so we can campaign together on areas of priority.

THANK YOU TO DAWN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONSIDER AND ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS

PAGE 12

SIGNE WESTERBERGCASUAL VACANCY PRESELECTION

JUST TRANSITIONS

UNION RIGHTS


What would you do as a Greens MLC to work for just transitions in relation work, workers and unions in a sustainable economy?

Every work place can make changes and adjustments to bring them closer to a fair transition to a fair and sustainable work. I support the policies in the IR policy and believe MP’s have more access to different parts of the community and promoting the policies.

I have issue with trusting miners to do anything but that which is in their best interests. :(




We can make sure our internal actions start with ensuring our own staff are able to access the same rights we want other organisations to adhere to.

Support through legislation the rights of Unions and union members.


I’m not 100% clear on the present rules, however my experience with local council has in the past made entry powers limited. New management is im-proving the situation however many employers are ‘scared’ of the union move-ment so removing any unnecessary adversarial relationships could be a good start.What would you do as a Greens MLC to support the right of workers to determine how their unions are organised and how union representatives are elected?

Self determination hasn’t always proved the best method however I am resistant to government interference in individual union operations other than to ensure their rights are protected under legislation.To ensure the rights of whistle blowers and the ability of the member-ships to seek guidance and advice from an independent (really indepen-dent) regulator without fear of retribution.

SECURE WORK



Casualisation of the workforce has enormous impact on the security and well being of families. Providing Fair work with sufficient ‘teeth’ to enforce rights of the casual worker and incentivising secure outcomes may be a positive direction.

PAGE 13


THE GREENS AND UNIONS I am willing to work to strengthen the relationship between Greens and unions:RESPONSE HERE

What links and relationships do you have with trade unions and how will you improve the parliamentary team’s working relationship with the union movement?

Through personal activity on picket lines and actions with local union movements in my LGA.I would encourage my staff and the greens staff generally to ensure they have membership of the appropriate unions. A good employer should not feel threatened by ensuring staff are well protected and supported.


I have worked with several unions during our fights against the destruc-tion of TAFE I have a good working relationship with my council workers and their various unions and have stood on the picket lines with them on a number of occasions in the past, for fair work conditions and remov-ing appalling anti union members of council staff/councillors.

I have a history of union activism:AGREE

The Greens should accept support and donations from unions:NO ANSWER


Liverpool council has had a number of issues over the last decade and I have supported and stood with them when striking and seeking justice on a number of occasions. So much so at past elections the local union leaders have provided small numbers of staff to man my booths.

Like wise when I was a CLO for the Dept of Educa-tion I worked alongside the teachers and unions.

What is your view on union donations to political parties? What do you think the difference is between union donations and corporate donations? What part do you believe unions should play in election campaigns?

I support our policy on organisations not being able to donate to our party, I do however support the individual union members right to do-nate if they see fit. I have as mentioned above had support from local unions in the form of people on booths, this has been most helpful and encouraging that we stand up for what they and we want available to all workers.


I’d need to investigate this more to be clear, fair and accurate.



Fair and equal pay for equal work.Access to or reinstating fair workers compensation including that of travelling to and from a workplace.Paid parental leave for both parents.Fairer distribution of income between management and workers. Injus-tice creates an unhealthy unviable work environment.Support for transitioning education opportunities for workers moving to renewable energy positions.

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IF ELECTED...

As a Greens MLC, I will support the Change the Rules campaign:AGREE

Unionism and industrial relations are a priority for me:AGREE



I am intending to put my hand up for the Industrial Relations Portfolio:NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE


As my personal knowledge is lacking I would engage heavily with the WG.

THANK YOU TO SIGNE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONSIDER AND ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS

PAGE 15

JEREMY BUCKINGHAM2019 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TICKET PRESELECTION

FIONA BYRNE2019 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TICKET PRESELECTION

UNFORTUNATELY THIS CANDIDATE DID NOT REPLY

TO OUR QUESTIONAIRRE

UNFORTUNATELY THIS CANDIDATE DID NOT REPLY

TO OUR QUESTIONAIRRE

PAGE 16

Date post:	25-May-2020
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PRESELECTION CANDIDATE GUIDE - Greens NSW · I support unions being able to determine their own...

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