Electrical Trades Union boss Dean Mighell has quit the ALP due to an expletive filled rant becoming publicly available. Kevin Rudd forced Dean’s hand due to the potential public backlash and a resignation came soon after KRudd made the call.
Three thoughts:
1. Union bosses carry on like this all the time – vitriolic and expletive filled threats to businesses are their bread and butter. The only difference in this case is that his was recorded and it became public. If only every union conversation were to be recorded!
2. That KRudd would sell out his own union mates to get the job as PM. What ever happened to “solidarity forever” Kevin?
3. That no matter how distant KRudd can seem from the union movement, the fact is the Unions founded the ALP, they ARE the ALP, they make up the vast majority of ALP Members of Parliament, and furthermore, Unions FUND the ALP. This background of thuggery IS the very foundation of ALP politics. It’s not a matter of “cutting out the cancer”, this type of behaviour and attitude permeates the ALP’s very core.