Well Thug Me

Anyone who wants an insight into union culture should watch this.

Kathy Jackson may just be the last true believer (bleeding heart, if you will) of the union movement’s cause.

She, unlike some (most?) of her contemporaries, thinks that union money should be used only for the advancement of union members’ interests. Clearly the woman is crazy. Obviously the only reason a lowly paid hospital orderly would pay fees to a union would be so that the union leadership could frequent brothels and pay for renovations to their houses. And hey, what’s the point of a renovation if it isn’t architecturally designed. What are we? Plebs?

Now this Ms Jackson who has decided to speak out is copping her due. Some union gentleman decided to leave a shovel on her lawn covered in dirt in what was to communicate that she was ‘digging her own grave’. Let’s ignore the fact that Ms Jackson is divorced and is (from what I can gather) the only adult to live in her household. We're talking about real tough guys here. And none are tougher than Bill Ludwig.

Big Bill Ludwig is the head of the AWU in Queensland. He is a Labor Party powerbroker. Julia Gillard described herself as a friend of Bull Ludwig (anyone who isn’t will attract his ire, just ask Craig Emerson). He is also the head of Racing Queensland. He was criticised in this latter role by a former justice of the Supreme Court. Mr Ludwig thought the criticism defamatory and took legal action. Genius move – a former judge clearly has no idea about the law. The action was promptly dropped, but not before Mr Ludwig had accumulated $45 000 in legal fees.

So yes, big ‘ole Bill paid his legal fees. Well, sort of. Bill’s job comes with some sweet fringe benefits and it was the AWU that footed the bill. The explanation: any attack on a union leader is considered an attack on the union. I can hear the murmuring at this point. Surely Bill’s role with Racing Queensland is separate from his day job?

(the news story on this honourable octogenarian here)

Let’s be under no illusion. This was a blatant misuse of union money. The AWU, like the HSU and others, has a vague concept of accountability. Sadly, Mr Ludwig isn’t the only member of his species. Internal workings of unions are not subject to scrutiny in the way corporations and the like are. The current regulator for unions is Fair Work Australia which, for obvious reasons, doesn’t seem to rattle any cages.

Kathy Jackson may just be the last true believer (that we know of). It’s a shame no one in the AWU, not even the idealistic Paul Howes, has the courage to follow her lead.

Three words: you go girl.

Three more: give 'em hell.