Some New South Wales Public Service Association members will remember when the PSA/CPSU leadership - Rank & File as they like to call themselves – brought in ‘winner takes all’ in union elections. At first the undemocratic tactic worked for the Rank & File faction.
With this rule in place meetings of the union's governing body - Central Council – lasted just 15 -20-minutes. Questions and discussion were not encouraged.
The Progressives PSA group restored proportional representation when they later won the leadership of Central Council. The Progressives valued different opinions and genuine discussion around things like pay and conditions.
Rank & File are again tampering with elections to limit members democratic rights. Notice has been given of a Rules change which would restrict groups running. The problem is that the Rank & File proposed change only allows a ticket or team to run for election if it fills all the vacant positions. But the PSA/CPSU has a long tradition of independents and small tickets/teams running and often winning a few delegate positions. And that's good for union democracy.
What is the RF faction afraid of? No rationale for this change has been given, the names of the movers of the rule change is also a mystery.
Union leaders should be answerable to members.
Do members want to return to the days when Rank & File did secret deals, such as giving up sick days? Reject the change to rule 85c(ii) which would limit the right of PSA members.