Union leaders’ power over Labor must change
Today’s Herald Sun carries a powerful article by 3AW’s Tom Elliott on the need to change the backdoor power that union leaders wield over Labor governments.
“Unfortunately, when it comes to militant industrial action Labor governments are anything but strong.
“For a start, the union movement is a huge financial contributor to Labor… Irrespective of what Labor MPs say about their unhappiness with strike action, they will never bite the money hand that feeds them. Organisations like the CFMEU tell Labor premiers what to do, not the other way around….
“Second, every Labor MP is required to be a union member. Many enter the party via student politics before honing their skills as taxpayer-funded advisers. Others study law before being employed by unions to advocate on behalf of workers prior to running for office.
“Sadly, almost no such political apprentices work in a “real” job before seeking a safe seat in Parliament. The union-Labor nexus is a well-oiled machine that trains hundreds of prospective MPs every year…The idea such union representatives might forget their origins once they enter Parliament is laughable….
“During a recent interview with her on 3AW, I asked [rail union secretary] Ms Grigorovitch if she was planning a move into politics. Predictably, she stated that right now she was focused on her duties at the RTBU. But then she refused to rule out a ‘further contribution to public life at some stage’….
“You can take this next prediction to the bank. Within a couple of years Grigorovitch will seek and receive preselection for a safe state Labor seat. She’ll then become an MP and eventually who knows? She might be promoted to transport minister and one day find herself locked in fruitless and protracted negotiations with a future RTBU official prepared to do whatever it takes for a better pay deal.”
For Tom Elliott’s full article, see A vote for Labor is a vote for strikes.