Leadership challenge for South Coast Labour Council
Comment by Andrew Hall
WOLLONGONG — A challenge for the leadership of the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC) has raised questions and encouraged debate among unionists and left activists about the direction and future of the local workers' movement.
Paul Matters, secretary of the SCLC for the last 10 years, is being challenged by Arthur Rorris, an industrial officer with the Community and Public Sector Union. Rorris is being supported by a range of unions, including most of the regions' left-leaning unions, as well as officials from the right-wing Labour Council of NSW in Sydney.
In the face of continuing attacks on unions, on workers' basic rights, on young people and the environment, the need for a revitalised trade union movement is immense. However, it is not clear if the challenge for the positions of secretary, vice-president and members of the executive and disputes committee will be positive for the left.
Whether a victory by either side will move the SCLC closer to a labour council that is politically independent and accountable to union members and the broader community is yet to be determined. The varied sources of support for the Rorris challenge, and the existing problems with Matters' leadership, make it unclear which is the better candidate in terms of defence of social justice and the environment.
Barely 10 of the 120 delegates eligible to attend the fortnightly SCLC meetings usually show up. A number of unions and officials have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the "maverick-style leadership" of Matters. Others on the left have been angered by Matters' role in the dispute over the charging of maritime unionist Eric Wicker.
The most outspoken opposition to Matters' leadership has come from the regional building division of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Engineering Union. The union disaffiliated from the SCLC two years ago, disenchanted at the "anti-development" policies of the SCLC. There are currently nearly 20 green bans in place preventing development on the Wollongong escarpment and against Gold Coast-style shore development.
It seems likely that a win for Rorris and his team will lead to these bans being lifted, which has encouraged support for the ticket from the ALP right faction and business circles. Implementation of bans is decided by the disputes committee, making the elections for these positions crucial.
The remaining important question for the left is what relationship the leadership of the SCLC, as well as union officials generally, should have to the ALP.
It remains unclear whether Rorris will be accountable to local unions and the community, or will serve the interests of the NSW Labour Council and the ALP.
Matters' relationship is a little clearer. He has attempted to gain ALP parliamentary preselection at times, while often expressing strong criticism of the party and its capitalist policies.
Unions are expected to mobilise for the vote at the March 24 SCLC meeting. More than 100 delegates are anticipated to attend. In stark contrast to the usual poor attendance, more than 40 delegates showed at the last meeting to decide which delegates can vote.
What is clear is that rank and file union militants need to get involved with the life of their unions. If the current leaderships cannot represent the interests of workers, then they should be replaced.
[Andrew Hall is secretary of the Wollongong branch of the Democratic Socialist Party.]