What are the CPSU officials afraid of?
By Melanie Sjoberg
The NSW branch of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has "suspended" its sponsorship of Organising Works trainee John Gauci just four weeks before the end of his traineeship. This follows a "reds under the beds" e-mail campaign against the Members First rank-and-file challenge to the CPSU officials in the union's national and state branch elections, now in progress.
The Organising Works program was established in the mid-1990s to help develop young trade union activists and encourage their commitment to the workers' movement. It was identified as a central means by which the union movement could turn around the decline in its membership.
Each year, young applicants go through a rigorous interview process that attempts to select those who have demonstrated interest and activity in community or union issues. Unions then select trainees to sponsor. The trainees are paid the lower trainee rate, and are not expected to carry out a full industrial organising workload.
Gauci was selected for the Organising Works intake that began in February. He had worked as a teacher and musician, and had been active in solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor and in anti-racism campaigns.
In September, the CPSU officials discovered that Gauci was also a member of the Democratic Socialist Party (DSP). On November 4, he was advised orally that he was being suspended from the CPSU after his name appeared on an article in 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly.
The article outlined the red-baiting campaign being conducted during the union elections, and reprinted a statement from the DSP. It defended the right of all union members to contest elections and the right of DSP members to be involved in the union.
Gauci told 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, "Organising Works emphasises the need for organisers to develop a systematic approach to training workplace activists, which I have found inspiring. One of the most important lessons I've learned is to listen to workers and not simply tell them what to do. Members usually understand the key issues and have a wealth of ideas and experience to contribute."
Gauci explained that during his training he was carrying out a full industrial organising role. "I was responsible for members in about 12 public sector agencies. I had to organise workers by visiting workplaces, training activists, identifying problems in the workplace and working with members to resolve grievances."
The CPSU, Gauci said, demonstrated confidence in his abilities by inviting him to participate in the development of its education program and requesting that he take responsibility for organising extra agencies. "I was noted for recruiting 20 members in the passports section [of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade] and joining up members in Employment National.
"My colleagues often commented favourably on my professionalism, and union delegates appreciated my commitment and willingness to work collectively."
"When the union officials became aware that I was a member of the DSP, there was a significant change in the way some officials related to me", Gauci said. "The NSW branch secretary, Mal Larsen, told me that being a DSP member and working for the CPSU was a contradiction, and that I would have to make a decision about my loyalties."
Gauci argues there is no contradiction. "While I didn't agree with everything the leadership was doing, I was able to separate my professional work and political opinions. I always understood that there were relevant forums to raise and discuss differences, which is why I never raised my concerns about some of the leadership's decisions with delegates."
When asked what he disagreed with in the officials' approach, Gauci said, "I think greater emphasis should be placed on mass meetings which determine members' opinions and decide the direction of campaigns.
"These meetings provide an opportunity for open discussion in the membership and actively involve members in campaigns; it's what the organising model and democracy in the union are all about. Surveys can be important for gathering information, but members need to know that their contribution is valued.
"The CPSU campaign in the ACT government section, led by many of those who now make up Members First, is a good example. Members and delegates were involved in setting the direction of the campaign and carrying it out, and they achieved an enterprise agreement that didn't involve any trade-offs."
Gauci also criticised as far too limited the CPSU's emphasis on members writing letters to the Australian Democrats to defeat Peter Reith's "second wave" of industrial relations attacks. "The Democrats have a track record of support for the Workplace Relations Act and the GST.
"The union leadership should have more confidence in the members to take action like in Western Australia, where thousands of workers mobilised and defeated the state government's industrial attacks. As recently as August, we saw thousands at rallies around the country prepared to fight for workers and unions' rights.
"It is a question of democracy; I look for more membership participation, along the lines of the organising model."
When he was suspended by the CPSU officials, Gauci was told it was because of his "political disloyalty", after his name appeared endorsing the DSP statement in 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly. "I was also told that they feared I would make derogatory comments to CPSU members about the leadership.
"None of these allegations have been made in writing, nor was I given a real opportunity to defend myself against the claims.
"All of the discussions about my party membership and supposed disloyalty have been informal; I haven't received any written advice, warning or records, and the officials did not inform me of my rights."
Gauci said that when he was called in for the last conversation, he asked if it was formal counselling and was told that it wasn't. "However, when I then asked what the discussion was about, I was told I was being suspended. I stopped the discussion to get a witness. They then finalised my 'suspension', but I still don't really know what that means.
"I understand that CPSU branch officials have notified delegates that I will no longer be working with them. Some of these delegates have called me at home to express their concern and anger at the union's actions. They offered support and wanted to know what they could do to help me out."
Gauci explained that as a member of the CPSU, he can appeal to the union's national secretary. "I believe I have been denied natural justice; the CPSU did not appear to follow any proper process for either counselling or disciplinary action", he said.
Gauci said he had been excited about the CPSU's emphasis on the need to develop workplace activists, "but I am disappointed by their reaction to genuine workplace activists whose opinions on the direction of campaigns are contrary to those of the national leadership.
"I was surprised by the slander campaign against the rank and file group contesting the union elections. Members First is made up of activists with a wide range of political affiliations who are trying to promote open and honest debate about issues for the union."
Gauci concluded, "I am determined to ensure that genuine democracy and accountability are adhered to. Organising Works is a great program for new activists, but it can only succeed if activists are encouraged to get involved. If they need to hide 'different' views or political affiliations to get sponsorship from a union, then good aspects of the program will be stifled."