Published: 18 Mar 2016
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union has responded to comments by Greens Leader Richard Di Natale in the senate this morning.
In this morning’s Senate debate, Senator Di Natale said unions were using members’ fees to “try and support the interests of the Labor Party, rather than the interests of ordinary working people.”
CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor has hit back at Di Natale's comments, labelling them as “immature”.
“I am sick and tired of so called progressives' refusal to accept that working people are entitled to actively participate in the political process,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Our obligations are to our members, no-one else.
“We are not the mouth piece of any political party and anyone who suggest that clearly has a very immature understanding of who we are.”
Mr O’Connor said the Greens had shown their true colours by siding with the Liberals and putting workers’ rights at risk.
“When political parties do deals that put our members rights at risk we will act. When political parties do deals that put the rights of working people at risk we will act,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The grubby deal that the Greens and the Liberals have done makes the passage of anti-worker legislation more likely today than it was a week ago. That’s unacceptable.”
Also this week, in what would have been a further shock to Greens supporters, the party knocked back the opportunity to finally have parliament debate marriage equality.