It seems that the first "Trade Union " was formed in Merry Olde England way back in 1824. A group of farmers agreed to cut the pay of their farm hands and expected to get away with it because they were the only employers in the district. If they maintained discipline, the farm workers would have to accept their offer.
Six men refused - and were put before a magistrate and sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. The sentence was carried out and this caused such a public outcry that the English government issued pardons and paid compensation. Called the "Tolpuddle Martyrs " the victims had quickly gained their own farms in New South Wales and most refused to return to England, instead having their wives and children join then in this new land.
A Royal Commission into the Australian Trade Union movement is discovering deceit and malpractice that goes to the root of the association between politics and those who hold office to represent workers. At it's base is the conundrum of where loyalties lay. Some think that getting a supporting political party into governing office takes precedence because that can deliver legislation to enhance worker's rights, while others expect union leaders to represent the men and women who pay their weekly dues to see they get a fair wage and decent working conditions.
Unfortunately, the record of those elected to control the levers of power within the union structure is far from glorious. We have seen greed and avarice dragged through the courts when union representatives have used public money to live the high life, hiring prostitutes and using union funds as their own personal piggy bank. Some unions have simply degenerated into criminal fiefdoms which use their muscle to exploit the opportunities that power delivers to plunder the public purse. It is impossible to complete some public works without negotiating some sort of " peace " agreement with the unions to avoid bankruptcy.
These "deals " are coming to light as this Royal Commission probes and puts those in high places under the spotlight. One such arrangement paid the salary of a politicians campaign manager during an election and this was not disclosed - as required by law. That happened in tandem with the same firm negotiating a workers pay agreement with the union - and final disclosure only happened days before it became known that it would be raised in this public enquiry.
The "lurks and perks " were astonishing. In some cases firms were induced to pay the union dues of their workers into union funds because that automatically ensured that they could vote on union matters as fully paid up members - and this was to the advantage of the union boss seeking higher office. In many cases, the final pay arrangement actually disadvantages workers and they received less than the awards, but this was in exchange for lump sums paid to the union under the guise of various research projects or educational programmes.
Welcome to a world of evasive answers and subterfuge. The most likely outcome is a further drop in the numbers joining unions - and that has become a mere shadow of the glory days of past decades. There is a place for well run unions and obviously some unionists run for office with good intentions and deliver on their promises, but they seem few - and far between. As a class of people we are not exactly enamoured with our politicians - and some union leaders rank even far lower - verging on outright criminality.
The main outcome of this Royal Commission will be to drag union - and political - malpractice kicking and screaming - into public view. The rank and file will demand more accountability about how their funds are dispersed and laws may need to be changed to ensure that legal business practices apply to audits and procedures for disbursing funds and they no longer remain at the sole discretion of office holders.
It is doubtful that anyone will actually face criminal charges. This enquiry has been described as a "witch hunt " and much of the evidence consists of innuendo and skirting the fine edges of the law. The power of the most militant unions remains unbroken and they retain the power to disrupt worksites and cause catastrophic loss to those who employ their members. To tame that situation may involve a war that Australian citizens are not yet prepared to fight.
The interesting thing will be how this outcome affects voting intentions. The ordinary rank and file trade unionist has a right to feel cheated and it is evident that the union movement has been a stepping stone for union leaders to get their snout in the gravy boat that is Federal parliament. The number of ex union parliamentarians holding office is just overwhelming.
Usually, memories are short - and nothing really changes !
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