Labor in Name, Bosses in action - Say no to Administration
The recent passage of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 marks a critical juncture in the history of Australia's labour movement. This legislation which places the Construction and General Division of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, and Employees’ Union under direct government control, is a profound attack on union autonomy and workers’ democratic rights. The bill grants extraordinary powers to a government appointed administrator, who can suspend or remove union officials, terminate employees, and alter the union's internal rules without the usual requirements of due process or member consultation. The ability to declare union offices vacant and bar individuals from holding office or serving as bargaining representatives without a fair hearing is a draconian measure that effectively disenfranchises union members and any power that they have built up. Critically, the bill's provisions could set a dangerous precedent for all registered organisations in Australia.
The government's ability to override union rules and the Fair Work Act itself demonstrates an alarming overreach that threatens the fundamental principles of freedom of association and the right to self-governance within the labour movement. Historically, unions have played a vital role in advocating for workers’ rights, from securing wages and safe working conditions to fighting for broader working-class issues. The CFMEU, in particular, has been a key player in these efforts, often leading the charge in demanding better protections for workers in industries drowning in safety risks and exploitation. This bill not only undermines the CFMEU's ability to continue this work but also sends a chilling message to all unions that their independence is contingent on the goodwill of the government in power.
The Labor Party’s support for this bill is particularly significant and must be viewed in the context of its historical relationship with the union movement. Contrary to the assumption that Labor has always been the champion of the working class, its very formation was, in part, a response to the growing power of unions. Over time, the ALP has often acted to contain or channel union power within a parliamentary framework, rather than fully support the more radical elements of the labour movement.
This is not the first time the Labor party has aligned itself with anti-union interests. In 1949, the Chifley Labor government famously called in the military to break the coal miners’ strike, one of the most direct acts of union suppression in Australian history. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Labor Party is once again taking a stance that is counter to the interest of the union movement and the broader working class.
What is particularly alarming about the current situation is Albanese’s push for involvement of law firms with a notorious history of union-busting activities. The same legal teams that were instrumental in the Botany waterfront dispute, where they developed strategies to dismantle union power, are now reportedly advising the government on its approach to the CFMEU. This connection underscores the aggressive and coordinated effort to weaken the union, using the most effective legal tools available to strip away its power.
The Fair Work Amendment represents a dramatic and dangerous shift toward government overreach and control over unions. It is a move that brings Australia closer to a system where unions are no longer free to operate independently but are instead tools of government policy. This legislation must be recognised for what it is: an unprecedented assault on the principles of democracy and the rights of workers. Unions, their members, and all who value democratic freedoms must resist this legislation and work to restore the balance of power that allows unions to function as independent advocates for workers. The future of unionism in Australia depends on our ability to stand up against these dictatorial powers and defend the rights that have been hard-won over generations.