Tuesday 21 September 2010

Queensland nurses end unhealthy relationship with Labor

The Queensland Nurses Union has undertaken a operation to remove Labor from its support, that will cost Labor at least $50,000 a year.

At its February 2010 meeting, the QNU council took the decision to affiliate with the Australian Labor Party in 2010, but not affiliate in 2011.

A statement yesterday says the decision to not renew affiliation in 2011 was taken for strategic reasons. "The QNU has decided to take a different approach to its engagement with political entities, governments and the political and public policy process."

"Having been affiliated with the ALP since 1994, the QNU council was also very aware that the relationship sometimes created confusion amongst QNU members, especially during times of actual or potential conflict with Labor governments such as during negotiations over wages and conditions," the Nurses Union said. "The decision has nothing to do with any particular issue, event or person and, it should be noted, it actually pre-dated the problems with the new payroll at Queensland Health."

The QNU has around 42,000 Queensland members, within the 190,000-strong ANF.

"[The QNU] will continue to use that collective strength to run industrial, community and political campaigns, which promote its members’ interests," the statement said

However the payroll problems at Queensland Health have reinforced its decision to cut any relationship with Labor. QNU secretary At its February 2010 meeting, the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) council took the decision to affiliate with the ALP in 2010, but not affiliate in 2011.
QNU secretary, Gay Hawksworth told the ABC that the Government will see it as a slap in the face.

"I'm sure they will feel that way - particularly in view of the payroll debacle and the way that Queensland Health employees are feeling at the moment," Hawksworth said.

The State Opposition Leader says all unions should fight harder against Bligh's asset sales plans.

"They're acting just like the Pakistan cricket team on asset sales," John-Paul Langbroek of the LNP says. "They're pretending to play hard when they're really not trying at all."

The vocal Electrical Trades Union, that has been campaigning against the asset sale programme, will consider if they continue to support Labor, at next year's branch conference.

1 comment:

PaulB said...

Thye Queensland Nurses Union has been notable for its pro-labor sycophancy over the years. Their silence as CBH collpases has been deafening. Now you all know why.

"The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves." - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin "