
Issue No 121		30 November 2001

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Unions Are Well Advanced In Change Unions Tell ALP

When Simon Crean returned to his old stomping ground for this week's ACTU Executive there was some robust discussion with union leaders but there was also a lot of warmth and respect.

Tension has been in the air between the industrial and political wings of the labour movement since the election but this week's appearance at the ACTU Executive by Simon Crean and his new IR spokesperson Robert McLellan did much to put the debate back on track.

Union leaders told the pair that the relationship between unions and the ALP should not be defined by a narrow focus on ALP rules specifically the 60:40 rule.

'In our view it should be based on beliefs and values and shared objectives for justice and fairness in society,' said ACTU Secretary Greg Combet.

'Our message to Simon Crean is that we want a strong, robust relationship with the ALP which respects the independent role of the unions but which is based on shared beliefs. Those with another view don't understand unions. They haven't taken the time to inform themselves about how unions are changing and don't understand that unions have embarked on a drastic change over the last few years.'

'What's not clear to me is what critics of the unions relationship with the ALP actually want to achieve in terms of change in society. So far that focus seems to be narrow on organisational change in the ALP rather than the broader policy picture. It's not clear if their objective is to clear the way for the best possible candidates. They should say what their end game is and they might find they have common ground with us.'

Greg Combet says it is ludicrous to suggest that unions are somehow to blame for the ALP's election loss.

'That is something that unions completely repudiate because there is no iota of evidence to support it. I invite any ALP figure who thinks that to come and see what unions are doing and what our own processes of change have been over the last few years.'

While a post mortem of the election and the relationship with the ALP hogged the headlines there were other significant initiatives flagged at the executive including the likelihood of test cases in the coming months to improve the rights of casuals and to safeguard redundancy entitlements.

'We've decided to focus on improving rights of casual workers - specifically to extend the 25% loading to more awards and the right to convert to permanent employment if in effect the casual is really a permanent worker,' said Greg Combet. 'Also, in an environment with so many collapses, closures and redundancies we're going to lift the redundancy safety net in awards.'

The executive also decided to take unions @ work a step further by approving the allocation of up to $1 million into a union eduction fund that will be used to increase the skills of activists and delegates in organising, campaigning and bargaining. The ACTU is prepared to draw upon its reserves to kick start the delivery of programs but will also look to support from state TLCs and from governments.

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  Issue 121 contents

Interview: Back to the Battle
Federal Labor's new industrial relations spokesman Robert McClelland outlines the challenges for the next three years.

Politics: The Baby and the Bath Water
ACTU secretary Greg Combet gives his take on the debate over the ALP's relations with the union movement.

Unions: We're Solid
Bradon Ellem charts the history of the Pilbara dispute, and finds a revitalised grass-roots unionism challenging BHP's individual contracts bulldozer

Organising: Benidgo Pioneer Comes Up Trumps
ACTU Delegate of the Year, Leonie Saunders, is living proof of the way unions are adapting to life under the strictures of a hostile Government.

Technology: India: Cricket, Computers and Corruption
Russell Lansbury cuts through the hype to look out the so-called hi-tech revolution on the sub-continent.

International: Soul Searching
The party of labour in Canada ďż˝ the NDP - is right now undergoing a massive struggle for its heart and soul.

History: A Timeless Debate
The ALP and unions - it's a debate that's raged for years as this extract from a 1947 Lloyd Ross pamplet shows.

Review: In Fear of Security
Launching his new book, Anthony Burke argues that the cry of "security" is the last refuge of the political scoundrel

» 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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