The Newcastle Trades Hall Council was originally formed in 1885 and the original building is still in existence as part of the Hunter Street TAFE College complex. The History of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council is being written at the moment and will be posted on the web site as soon as it is completed.
The NTHC is the peak union body in the Hunter and is supported by affiliation fees from 32 Unions based in Newcastle and the Hunter. The NTHC is governed by an executive comprising 18 executive positions
- President
- Secretary
- Assistant Secretary
- 3 X Vice Presidents
- 2 X Trustees
- 10 X Committee Positions
The Secretary and Assistant Secretary are the only full time positions on the executive but NTHC currently has one Personal Assistant to the Secretary and a training officer. All the other positions are voluntary and require significant amounts of un-paid work and commitment by executive members.
While the NTHC does not usually get involved in the day to day negotiations on individual Union matters we do so by invitation occasionally. The main role of the NTHC is to co-ordinate political and community activity and run campaigns on various issues on behalf of unions and the community, Workcover Legislation, changes to Government bus routes, “Anti Terrorist” legislation to name a few recent examples.
The current area of coverage of Newcastle Trades Hall Council is the local Government areas of:-
- Newcastle
- Port Stephens
- Maitland
- Cessnock
- Lake Macquarie
The NTHC is in negotiation with the Upper Hunter Labor Council and we expect an amalgamation to occur in the near future.
The objectives of the NTHC are as follows:-
- The following shall be the objects of Council: To improve the conditions and protect the interests of all working people within the area defined in Rule 2.
- To discuss, consider and put into operation, when approved, any scheme for the better guidance and extension of Labor organisation.
- To promote the policies of the ACTU and encourage the voluntary amalgamations of Labor organisations within the framework of ACTU policies.
- Support ACTU policies on the broad based industry development and the implementation of such policies with the region. Such policies would encourage:
- Medium and long term employment-training initiatives to consolidate employment security and enhance employment potential.
- Joint union/management industry agreements within the framework of union policy.
- Development of the capability for political, economic, social research and education to provide affiliates with effective analysis across industry planning to both the public and private sector.
- The Council shall have the power (upon the request of any union or organisation forming part of the Council) to assist in disputes by negotiation.
- To secure the better advocacy of working class principles by the dissemination of literature and by establishing media communications through radio, TV stations, newspapers and labour colleges.
- To organise and promote an annual demonstration to commemorate the inauguration of the eight hour day and to endeavour to decrease the hours of labor of all members of the working class.
- To publish, own or control newspapers
- To secure the affiliation of all unions within the area defined in Rule 2, to Council.
As can be seen the Newcastle Trades Hall Council has a wide ranging brief and the officers and the executive are kept busy with a wide variety of issues. Delegates to NTHC are required to attend the Council meetings which are held every second Thursday from February until December.