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What's Wrong With Labor

Totally Futile

You use the word "disrepair" of branch structure. Surely you mean "disregard"

The experience of so many true believers is the utter futility of advancing any thought or policy initiative at branch level.

Ben Haneman (Double Bay Branch)

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Tired Old Argument

Tom Collins (Letter - 23/11) is right about one thing, union members and workers generally have fled the Labor Party in droves. This is fact, however once again we have the same tired analysis of Trade Union affiliation to the ALP. The argument from Tom (and many within the ALP) seems to be that if union membership is falling, and union members are not all voting for the ALP then why is the ALP pandering to these special interest groups?

1. Why have workers deserted the ALP (and unions to a lesser extent)?

The answer is obvious: the political wing of the working class (ALP) has failed the working class. So too have elements of the industrial wing (Trade Unions). Why? Because ruling cliques in Trade Unions, ALP factions and Parliamentary Caucuses have made internal democracy a joke in these organisations. The failure of the labour movement to respond to the growing power of the employing class stems from its own internal contradictions. Sure we can (and should) blame structural change, the growth of the new economy, growth in part-time employment, casualisation etc, but the real problem is the pandering of the labour movement to special interest groups, although not the ones Tom Collins has in mind.

The ALP is clearly a pro-big business party like the Liberals and Nationals. They justify this position based on an assumption that we cannot change the nature of the global economy but we can 'civilise' capital. What a joke, when has 'capital' ever been civilised. We still have child labour in this and every country in the world. It is clear that what the ALP is looking for is a US Democrats option where they are free to move around the political spectrum for short-term advantage. In similar style ALP fundraising relies on networking with the big end of town, begging bowl in hand so that the workers 'representatives' can be elected to a seat in Parliament and then report solemnly to their sheep that they would like to do more but the budget must stay in surplus (because the economic masters tell us this is so), or that mutual obligation is latest idea (because why should hardworking taxpayers expect any help in a time of need from government). The real special interest grou!

p is the same as always, the rich and powerful.

2. 60/40 rule.

The argument to reduce union influence in the ALP is a nonsense simply because lack of internal democracy in the ALP (and some unions) means that members and delegates can pass all the motions they like, but our own 'leaders' will work out what is best for us anyway. Even if unions had 100% control of ALP conference it would make zero difference to actual public policy, look at the anti-worker Carr government for an example.

The whole point is that workers are being divided upon the basis of competing ideologies in the social sphere (refugees, work for the dole, the Republic, Indigenous rights, the environment etc) when the labour movement should be uniting them - upon their class interests. There is not one worker in urban or regional NSW (despite their varied opinions about the above social issues) who would disagree that the employing class are growing more powerful and the average worker can look forward to a lifetime of low wages and job insecurity, whether here or any country in the world. As history shows, people can be mislead by simplistic political solutions (fascism, racism, One Nation etc) when times are tough but can also unite on their class interests. You will not convince workers that they should support refugees because it is racist not to, you will convince them because their class interests (i.e. their economic interests) depend on the solidarity of workers regardless of race, gender etc.

This is understood by the employing class who come from all corners of the world, all religions but have an unspoken understanding of their collective interest, and manage to work together through the IMF and other global institutions for mutual gain. The facts of modern industry remain: a small gang of exploiters run industry to their benefit, while those who create the wealth compete globally for the lowest wages, with the unemployed used as a source of cheap labour. Until workers are organised into unions with rank & file control, and militant organising approaches, until residents in communities are organised into political movements which are run democratically and not by a few cronies, the situation will continue, and future Labor Governments will achieve lurks and perks for themselves and sadly report to their supporters that nothing can be done about the massive economic forces that are creating the world's first global dictatorship based on wealth and power.

John Howard's greatest achievement was fooling workers (who already know that a small elite controls society) into believing that the elite consists of progressive people (on social issues) instead of the Packers and Murdochs of the world. But it was no great hurdle when the labour movement does not try to organise on our common class interests as workers and instead plays the cards dealt by our economic masters: we don't have to accept the status quo, but our 'leaders' in the labour movement have no desire to upset this cozy arrangement, Michael Costa got his reward for the backroom deals to sell-out injured workers on workers compensation.

Adam Lincoln.

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Victim Mentality

Isn't it about time that we stopped being victim to the Howard government's campaign against unions led by the likes of Reith and now Abbott? Isn't it about time that we or indeed our federal labor representatives argued for the union movement? Or is it that they just don't believe in the principles in which the party was founded? Is it simply that they just don't believe? Is it simply that they are not proud to be union members?

Wasn't one of the reasons that Labor lost this election was that it couldn't demonstrate to people that it was passionate about particular issues, that our representatives had made up their collective mind about something and actually believed in it and were passionate about it and in turn could inspire some passion amonst Australians.

You must take a position on issues. Sooner or later, you must make a stand. You respect someone for doing that. Rightly or wrongly, Howard took a position and communicated his stance. It won him a lot of votes. People could see he believed in what he spoke and did. only when he attacked Beazley in the debate and he defended himself and stated his position did the worm turn. Too late.

I believe in unions and the principles of collectivity. Let's get a bit fired up about it. Let's get a bit passionate. Let's inspire people with our commitment and intellectual rigour. Let's tell Abbott where he can get off. Unions have a proud tradition, they have a proud record and will make a valid contribution to the future of this society.

Steve Wilson

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 121 contents

»	Union Journo on Death List
»	First 'Lab Rats' in Bank Hold-Up
»	Monk's Mad Power Grab from States
»	Big Print Merger Threatens Jobs
»	Anger as Labor Staffers Shun Unions
»	Unions Are Well Advanced In Change Unions Tell ALP
»	Unions Step Up Organising Drive
»	Education, Call Centre Unions Sweep Awards
»	Bank AGMs Focus of Worker Anger
»	Gender Balance in Transport Concessions
»	Concern As Sydney Collapses
»	Bakers Seek More Bread
»	CFMEU Forces Re-Think On Asbestos
»	Call Goes Out for Union Summer
»	Twelve Weeks Parental Leave For Kiwis
»	Organiser of the Year Nominations Open
»	Activists Notebook

»	The Soapbox
»	Sport
»	Labour Review
»	Tool Shed

»	What's Wrong With Labor
»	Why I'm Quitting the ALP
»	Compo Flak
»	Union Democracy
»	Multi-Skilling Corrigan Style

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