The Australian Labor Party has launched an all-out assault on militant trade unionism, and the CFMEU is squarely in their crosshairs. This isn’t just an attack on one union; it’s a stark warning to every union across Australia. The ALP, which postures as the party of workers, has revealed its true colours: they’re prepared to crush any union that fights too effectively for its members.
This shouldn’t surprise us. We’ve seen this before, and we’re seeing it again now. The ALP has always existed to shepherd workers back into the fold of capitalist stability, acting as a sheepdog to keep the labour movement in line. Their role isn’t to challenge the system but to ensure its sustainability. When push comes to shove, their loyalty lies with the preservation of the status quo, not with the workers who keep the system running. The ALP is more than willing to drop its mask and act as an attack dog for the bosses, undermining and neutralising any force that disrupts the smooth operation of capitalism.
Learning from History
In other countries, neoliberalism was forced upon workers by right-wing governments—Thatcher’s Conservatives in the UK, Reagan’s Republicans in the US. But in Australia, it was the ALP. While the labour movement in the UK fiercely resisted neoliberalism, here union leaders, in collusion with the ALP, signed away our right to strike. And with that, we lost our power, our vibrancy, and our militancy.
Since the Accords of the 1980s, union membership has plummeted, and strikes have become a rarity—much to the delight of the bosses. Most unions have drifted away from meaningful member democracy, turning into little more than service providers. The collapse of working-class organisation has led to stagnant wages and declining living standards. Many Australian workers no longer see unions as a force that can concretely improve their working conditions, or as something that belongs to us.
Ratfucking the Rank-and-File
This isn’t the first time an ALP government has tried to dismantle a militant construction union. Back in the 1980s, their target was the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF), a forerunner to the CFMEU. The BLF was militant not only in winning better pay and conditions but also in pushing beyond the usual boundaries of workplace demands. It became legendary for defending the working class and our communities, most notably through the famous Green Bans. The BLF was too effective, too aware of its own power, and too politically conscious to be allowed to thrive—and so it had to be crushed. The ALP, then as now, was all too eager to oblige. As Hawke infamously declared in 1985, “We’re gonna smash those bastards. We’re going to deregister the BLF.”
Why the ALP is No Shield for Workers
Allowing ourselves to be lulled into complacency just because Labor’s in government is to leave ourselves open to attack and on the back foot, like we are today. The ALP is a party of the bosses, just as much a threat to the working class as the LNP. The struggle to defend the CFMEU is a battle we can’t afford to lose, but win or lose, this lesson must be ingrained in our collective memory.
The issue here isn’t just the ALP. Their behaviour isn’t due to some unique moral flaw or lack of backbone—it’s a product of how the state operates under capitalism, with parliament as its tool. Step into the state, and it will twist you to its will, forcing you to serve the interests of capitalism and protect the rich.
Why the Greens Won't Save Us Either
It’s tempting to see the Greens as a promising alternative, even a potential saviour for the labour movement. But shifting our allegiance from the ALP to another political party would be to repeat the same mistake. Pro-worker positions are easy to maintain when you’re a minority opposition, far removed from the running of the capitalist machine. But once in government, any party is forced to play by the same rules, dictated by the entrenched interests of capitalism. The Greens can afford to be more progressive while they’re on the periphery, but as they inch closer to state power, where the gears of the capitalist machine grind relentlessly, the system’s demands will shape them just the same. The problem isn’t just about who’s in charge; it’s about the very nature of the state itself.
Why Union Power Must Come from the Rank-and-File
Rejecting union affiliation with political parties doesn’t mean ignoring political issues. Far from it. What we reject is the poisonous idea that political struggle must be confined to parliament or fought on our behalf by political parties. Whether it’s the fight for a free Palestine, sustainable energy, or simply making it home from work alive, our strength comes from our position as workers. It’s through industrial struggle that we wield our true power.
We must pursue political change outside of, and in opposition to, the government—not from within it. We must embrace the necessity of illegal and unsanctioned strikes and reject mandatory arbitration, which only serves as chains on our collective power.
Instead of pinning our hopes on any political party, we must build a labour movement so powerful that it renders the question of who holds parliamentary power irrelevant. The strength of our unions lies in our collective action, not in any political party.
We have to recognise that rebuilding the strength and control of the union rank-and-file will mean acting against the interests of many union leaderships and the ALP. Change must come from us, acting, organising and growing rank-and-file militancy and structures within our unions. Like when we confront the bosses, it is our collective power that will be able to create change.
The only beneficiaries of union affiliation with the ALP are the bosses, Labor politicians, and union bureaucrats eager to climb the political ladder. We, the rank-and-file, gain nothing from these alliances. By aligning with any political party, we sacrifice our independence and strength. Our unions and our world should belong to those who built it—us.
Organise. Mobilise. Fight back.
The future of the labour movement in Australia is at a crossroads, and the choices we make today will determine whether we continue to fight or allow the forces of capital to dismantle our power. If members can take anything away from this, it’s this: get involved. Attend meetings, volunteer for delegate or HSR roles, form jobsite committees, educate yourself on union issues, and strategize with fellow members on how best to fight this administration
The working class cannot afford to place its trust in political parties that serve the interests of the bosses any longer. We must put our trust back where it belongs—with the workers. We must rely on our own strength, our own organisation, and our own power. It’s our duty to act, to organise, and to fight for a future where the interests of workers come first.