Labor and SDA Plot Union-Busting Laws Targeting RAFFWU

At the recent ALP national conference, Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth had to look like she was doing something other than using what remains of the union movement to discipline workers on behalf of capital, when not manipulating the electoral process to similar ends. Having run out of ideas, she apparently decided on a purification ritual and the tried and true tactic of the ruling class reinventing itself a solution to conflict of its own making. Nothing terrifies a Laborite like autonomous unions.

cf. https://www.reddit.com/r/AusUnions/comments/1umsi5c/raffwu_vs_sda/

Workplace Express || Rishworth backed a SDA resolution to crack down on “sham” unions that “can undermine the integrity of the system, including misleading working people regarding their rights”.

The resolution from the retail union, which is facing competition from unregistered union RAFFWU, says Labor will legislate “to limit the participation of sham unions under the Fair Work Act, including their capacity to act as bargaining representatives; and ensure that current regulation of registered organisations is fit for purpose”.

Rishworth told the conference that “unregistered sham unions are not subject to the same democratic control, transparency, and oversight as registered unions”.

“Sham unions undermine the integrity and efficiency of our whole workplace relations system, and they are misleading workers about their rights.

“So I am proud that I will shortly move an amendment that commits a Labor government to clamp down on sham unions, including their ability to act as bargaining representatives.”

The rival, unregistered union has accused the SDA of selling out workers in sweetheart deals with employers and attracted members in the retail and hospitality sector who are dissatisfied with the mainstream union.

The conference this afternoon suspended consideration of proposed amendments to the IR components of its draft policy platform until tomorrow morning, after passing some changes, including those relating to multi-employer bargaining, paid parental leave and “sham” unions.