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  Issue No 19 Official Organ of LaborNet 25 June 1999  

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Guest Report

Nick Lewocki on Tribes and Factions



Both the Australian Labor Party and the Labor Council of NSW have been discussing the need to abolish factionalism in NSW. The Secretary of the Labor Council, Michael Coats, is a strong advocate against maintaining factions both within the Labor Party and the Labor Council of NSW. Michael Costa argues that at a time of dwindling union membership the old factional structures do nothing to enhance trade unionism and because of factional based deals many capable and well qualified people are excluded from positions that would have contributed to the trade union movement and he Labor Party.

With union density at an all time low and still falling the Labor Council has commissioned a number of surveys of workers to establish workers views on the relevance and effectiveness of unions. Each survey has shown that workers generally believe unions are necessary and do perform an important role in maintaining wages and conditions and equalising the negotiation power between the employee and employer.

Many women and young people have indicated that they would be prepared to join unions except for fear of reprisal from their employers or they have not been approached to join. It is within this context that Michael Costa has led the debate on effective unionism and recruitment strategies.

The Trade Union Training Authority in NSW under the stewardship of Michael Crosby have worked co-operatively with Labor Council in developing seminars and training programmed focused on membership recruitment and more importantly retention of union members.

The Australian labor Party is also putting out suggestions that the party membership base should be expanded to capture small business and rural people. Questions are being asked about the appropriateness of unions still controlling 60% of ALP delegates at the Annual Conference when unions can no longer legitimately claim to represent the majority of workers.

It is within this context that the question must be asked "Is it time to review the trade union movement and their political wing the Australian Labor Party?"

The answer must be YES - as a movement representing workers and their families we must be willing to not only review our own relevance but we must be prepared to change to meet the expectations of our members. The question that has to be answered is "if we have a need to change?" The suggestion that factionalism is the core problem is too narrow. I know that Michael Costa and other see this as only part of the overall problem and on its own will not solve our problems however, after decades of factionalism (at times based on ideology) what can be introduced to replace our factional based structures.

The ideology positions are not as wide as they used to be - the dreaded communist threat is no longer relevant - union amalgamations have been achieved irrespective of different factional partners coming together. Yet factionalism has continued both within the unions movement and the ALP. Some say that our movement allows for a diverse and wide range of views - this is true however, it does not fully explain the factional divisions that are now seen to be holding us back.

Perhaps in the past decade we have seen factionalism evolve to tribalism. Unions and individuals who are concerned about the centralisation of power, the exclusion of their ideas and their ability to influence macro outcomes has resulted in them joining factions in the same way that workers join in collectiveness for protection and a greater say.

Any review of the trade union movement or the Labor Party must address the issue of central control. The ability of cross-factional support on major issues is well know. The Labor Council of NSW has recruited cross-factional people who have worked well for the common cause. Individual skills and talents have been brought together that ensure those polices and future directions for the Labor movement are progressed.

But it still remains to be seen if tribalism will not take over where factionalism finished. The challenge for Michael Costa and the affiliated unions is to ensure that decision making and individual ideas and beliefs can still be debated, discussed and acted on. I believe this can be achieved and though proper consultation and structures the Labor Council can leas NSW unions into the next millennium stronger and better equipped to recruit and service workers.

The more challenging debate will be the future structure of the ALP. Should there by any reduction in trade union influence? To answer this question another question needs to be asked - "how does the union movement hold back the ALP?" I am to be convinced that as the political wing of the trade union movement is the strength of the ALP. We are a party that is broad based. Workers, unemployed, rich, poor, small business, academics and rural people belong to the ALP. We are seen as a political party that has strong foundations and a committed membership base. We are not seen as an opportunist party that recruits candidates for office who have only been in the party for a few weeks before an election.

We have a party that each year bestows life membership to members who have 30 to 40 years service - something that the Coalition have difficulty doing. Should the ALP restructure? If so, how?

I would argue that a review of our structures is warranted. I would argue that our various policy committees are too restrictive and those party members who have the intellect an knowledge would have difficulty in being elected onto policy committees. There would be scope to review policy committee members so that annual conference elects policy committee members and the Minister (or Shadow Minister) may nominate some policy committee members based on their ability to bring expertise to policy committee deliberations.

The party should also consider policy committees seeking wider community input before policies are formulated, eg: public forums, community groups. The strength of our party is our commitment to social justice, a fair go and caring for those in the community who are less fortunate that us. IF we move away form these issues - if we isolate these voters and embrace the free market deregulated philosophies of business then our party will truly be indistinguishable form the Conservatives.

That is not to say that we can abandon economic responsibilities or alienate large and small business, or follow a path of social reform that will never be achieved because NSW is not seen as employment friendly.

History has shown that only a Labor Government has been able to introduce social justice, major state infrastructure and economic polices that ensures we have the lowest unemployment levels of any State and both small and large business want to establish in NSW. I don't believe there is nay need to be apologetic or concerned about the trade union influence on and in the ALP. It is time to be more pro-active in policy development with the ability for consultation across the community.

Nick Lewocki is State Secretary of the Rail Tram and Bus Union


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*   Issue 19 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Moore for the Battlers
NCOSS director Garry Moore gives the community sector's response to this week's State Budget
*
*  Unions: AWU's Bush Blitz
"This is AWU Country". That's the slogan for the Australian Workers Union as it launches its campaign to address the specific needs of workers throughout regional and rural Australia.
*
*  Indigenous: Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide
A United Nations committee slams Australia on indigenous native title rights.
*
*  International: Unions Post-War Stand
The world labour group demands KFOR track war-crimes authors and says social dimension central to Balkan reconstruction.
*
*  History: How Swede It Was
Swedish seafarers play an important role in South Australia's maritime history.
*
*  Review: If He Had Only Listened To Me ...
If Michael Thompson had listened to me the current debate raging in the nation�s opinion pages about his book may not have been as hysterical.
*

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»  New Years Pay: Casino Workers Win Triple Time
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»  Budget Gaps Tell Bigger Story
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»  Oakdale Miners Take On Canberra
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»  Second Wave Means Zero Tolerance
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»  For Olympic�s Sake Let�s Become Weekend Warriors
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»  Brassed Off: Birch Not Out of the Woods
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»  No Ship is an Island
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»  Firey Country Conference to Fuel Bush Resurgence
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»  Pay Anniversary Marks New Challenges
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»  Join the Labor Council Team!
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Columns
»  Guest Report
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»  Sport
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Piers Watch
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Letters to the editor
»  Has Labor Lost the Plot? You Bet!
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»  Freedom of Choice - What About Tax?
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»  Why Are We Trying To Be Torn Apart?
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»  Thanks to Randwick Council
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