Whilst there is an argument that unions shouldn't donate money to political parties because some members do not support that course of action, we can also extend that idea to public companies that donate to political parties against the wishes of some shareholders. If there is going to be an even playing field then the obvious solution is that all political parties can only accept donations from individuals only. I get the feeling that reforms like this will disadvantage the coalition greater because they have a more disparate core of supporters beyond their corporate base.
The idea of charging people for the bargaining efforts of the union were discussed by our union recently. The prevailing view within our union is that even though it is fairer for the members, ultimately trying to charge non-unionists would be ultimately counter productive and increase union hostility. The best way to increase membership is via services and providing value.

rObert and Communicat our two conservative posters I understand your reason for those posts.
rObert has some balance and it is only fair I say so Communicat can you not read and watch the Medea?
Can it have escaped you that the very reverse to your claims is true?
Most Medea is very much against unions and Labor.
Lets go back to the reasons we have news Medea, to report the news of the day.
It stands to reason sometimes, it would appear almost by accident they do so!
Some story's can not be managed, some truth must e told, some not anti union or worker story's will escape the news manufacturing Medea, but on balance our Medea is, well fox like.
I still hold the view, truly that you may well be a minister in this government, true no rubbish.
The true unconcern for Truth, the willing ness to miss use the facts .
I want those who think like you to know unionists and workers who are not unionists, the victims of workchoices are not evil.
They vote green and Democrat liberal and national and they vote ALP.
The most important thing they have in common is they are Australians.
We will line up on polling day not insulting or threatening each other.
So why the lie? why are those who work and those who are union members found wanting in your posts?
Communicat is it not clear to you this undeclared war on some Australians is the greatest failure of this government.
That the right to arbitration of disputes is no crime? that just maybe the NSW system was fair and honest enough to be our national system?
That to flog every union for the sins of a few was over kill?

Belly. I am currently a union member - basically paying protection money. I'm informed that my union does not pay fee's to the Labor Party otherwise I'd be out as quickly as I could. I see some validity to the argument about unions doing the negotiation for pay and conditions but also see that the unions work very hard to keep other players out of the field so my sympathy on that issue is limited.

When I first started work I was required to be in a union, the ETU at the time and had the pleasure of being a member during the mid 80's during the Qld electricity dispute. I resigned shortly after I sat in a meeting with an ETU official who made it clear that he considered threatening phone calls in the middle of the night (threatening violence against the kids of strike breakers), removing ladders from under people, etc were legitimate tactics in industrial action. I attended union meetings where those willing to oppose what union heavies wanted were physically threatened and knew guys who were assaulted for not voting the way others wanted.

From what I saw of that dispute it was all about people trying to get at Joh rather than any real interest in worker conditions and safety.

As an employee of a state government owned organisation I've seen workers treated with a far higher level of disregard and contempt by Labor than the Nationals ever did. The ties between the unions and Labor mean that little is done by the unions when it's Labor mistreating workers - to much mixed loyalty there.

I see a lot of unions organisers who still speak in the language of the old country, still fighting their battles against the "Torries" and the class divisions of a land on the other side of the planet.

R0bert

RObert you are looking back a fair bit into the past, and I would find t hard not to agree with what you say about that time.
Things however have changed, I became a union official after a lifetime of senor delegate work.
A long time working for a NSW government department as a delegate on the single bargaining unit and at ground level.
Under both forms of government, both had to be watched ALP and conservatives.
Strange in workers comp the best deal came from a Liberal; leader.
I am no longer a government employee because I was a whistle blower.
Such is life my union job came the only way they should ever come.
Members liked me ,trusted me, and joined the union, only the best are good enough to serve the members.
Protection money? are you fair dinkum? we insure our cars but not after we smash them.
Modern unions start the service from day one few services would exist without members and few members without service.
No idea about foreign union bosses if they are the best to lead its ok by me.
Hey have you noticed the outcome of any public service investigation is a white wash?
I know some great people work in such jobs but just once would like the thief's bought to heel not the whistle blower.
However I assure you unions are not all warlike not all radical and no way all who work for them should,, but few ring in to tell of problems left unsolved why? never could work that out , no support from me for poor performers in unions.

Belly, I know that most are not as bad as the ETU was in the 80's.

True my main examples are from some time back - I've avoided close involvement with unions since.

In more recent times we had the states electricity infrastructure run into the ground to pay dividends to the state government. Not only the physical assetts suffered but staff suffered severly during that period. Because of the specialised nature of the work done by many it's not always practical to just move onto another employer. The unions were well aware of what was going on and were either negligent in not telling the government or told them and kept quiet when Beatty claimed (after it became public) that he knew nothing about what was going on. My guess is the latter.

My guess is a similar scenario prevailed in other government owned enterprises which have been run into the ground by Qld Labor during their terms in office.

R0bert

RObert your honesty in admitting your views are based on the actions of one union nearly 30 years ago is noted.
As is you advice you have kept no contact with unions from that date except your membership as future insurance.
It is my personal view few understand the difference between unions.
And fewer still understand the direction and tactics of a minority of rat bags in the movement.
Whatch this space, no matter who wins this election we have seen the last of radical and extremist unions having any real power.
For a time some unions will find membership shrinking, and for some it will be forever.
But other fair dinkum unions will grow and do so constantly.
I find it sad that far too many can not tell the difference, and that a few unions think more of radicalism than members.
It is not generally known by Joe public but officials who put members first and hold themselves accountable are targeted by idiots in union shirts who prefer war over negotiation.
I am proud to be union, proud of my union and proud to win with honor by other than thuggish tactics.
That is the future of the movement while some acts of the past are not good others are a matter of great pride to me.