FED: Unions face big sweep from new broom

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-1999
FED: Unions face big sweep from new broom

The man most likely to succeed BILL KELTY as ACTU secretary says union mentality is the
union movement's greatest challenge.

GREG COMBET has staked his claim by launching a dramatic plan he's designed which seeks to
rebuild the foundations of Australia's union movement.

He says his main challenge is to develop an effective growth strategy, but he admits the
ability of unions to accept major change is the biggest threat to his plan.

Titled Unions at Work, Mr COMBET's plan demands unions change their operating structure and
spend more time on strategic planning than day-to-day workplace issues.

Over the next five to ten years, shop floor delegates would be trained to recruit members,
bargain with management and handle members' grievances.

Under the strategy, union employees such as industrial organisers would gradually give up
this type of work to concentrate on delegate training, co-ordinate campaigns and act as a
membership resource.

AAP RTV ag/rp/kbw

(EDS: EMBARGOED UNTIL 1300 (AEST) 20/8/99)

KEYWORD: ACTU BLUEPRINT (MELBOURNE)

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