I can’t make John Setka stand aside. But I think he should. Not because I hate unionists. Not because I hate unions themselves. I support them. That’s why I’ve taken my stand.
The national secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union said that the Australian union movement is “having its oxygen sucked from out of it” by constantly defending Setka.
Politically,his presence is a gift to the Morrison government. They only have to invoke the spectre of Setka to explain why any piece of union-bashing is necessary. They have a villain and they will use him. Setka is the single biggest gift to the conservatives'industrial relations agenda since they had control of both houses in 2004.
Setka is the single biggest gift to the conservatives' industrial relations agenda since they had control of both houses in 2004.
Loading
The leadership of the ACTU,secretary Sally McManus and president Michele O’Neil,have called on Setka to resign. And there is a lot riding on McManus and O’Neil winning the day.
The union movement’s two most senior leaders,who are both extraordinary women,have had their authority and credibility publicly challenged by a man described by a magistrate as“nasty and misogynistic”. Women in his union report feeling unsafe around him. He pled guilty to a criminal act involving a woman. Most union members in Australia are women.
Union membership is declining around the country. McManus wants to turn that around. She sees it as critical to the long-term prospects of organised labour. Setka is frustrating that effort.