By Ben Reid
MELBOURNE — As the rank-and-file Workers First campaign gears up to challenge the conservative leadership of the Victorian metals division of the Amalgamated Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), the Financial Review has indicated which side employers will back in the union election.
An article in March 2-3 edition referred to the "strong apprehension" felt by manufacturers about the possibility of militant unionists winning leadership of the state branch.
Workers First aims to rebuild the union into the militant force it was before its domination by pro-Labor officials during the ALP-ACTU accord years.
The Financial Review quoted Manufacturing Trades Industry Association spokesperson Roger Boland that employers were "massively concerned" about the prospect of Workers First's election.
Boland said that if Workers First wins, "expectations are that disputation in Victoria will rise ... [Workers First candidate for union secretary] Craig Johnston has a track record that ... in our view is anti-business."
In response, Johnston said his agenda was "pro-worker".
Workers First is supported by the more militant union organisers whose on-site work had been responsible for some important gains in wages and conditions for union members. It is running on a platform of support for industry-wide approaches to wage rises, as opposed to enterprise bargaining.