Tasmanian unions’ bargaining power has dramatically weakened since the 1970s, writes Solomon Doyle, because of the changing nature of traditionally union-strong industries and the impact of anti-worker laws.
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In October, Kevin Harkins, a member of the Labor Left, won the ballot to become the new secretary of Unions Tasmania. Harkins was an electrician and then an organiser with the Electrical Trades Union in Victoria, before becoming ETU Tasmanian secretary in 2000. He spoke to Green Left Weekly’s Linda Seaborn. * * * The recent Unions Tasmania election was the first contested ballot in years. Can you tell me about that?