The votes have been counted, and I wasn’t elected. No surprises there: I knew I had no chance from the moment the how-to-vote instructions arrived in the mail from Chris Warren. More than half the members of the MEAA are too apathetic to even bother voting; most of the remainder are lemmings unable to make an independent judgement and instead simply follow the instructions of Der Fuhrer. Unless you can raise $10,000-plus yourself, you will never be able to beat the union hierarchy as an outsider. And why would you bother – we’re hardly talking about running the country here.
But this wasn’t what it was meant to be all about. It was never supposed to be me versus them. Strange as it may seem, I ran for the MEAA federal council because I thought after a number of years of voluntary service, I still had something to contribute. There was never an agenda beyond wanting to help my fellow members in the harsh industrial environment we are in today.
The tragedy is that despite exhortations from some other union members, I deliberately avoided being part of a ''rival'' ticket because I didn't want this election to turn into an us against them battle. I naively hoped that we could transcend all that, but the irony is I was forced into that stance because of Chris' heavy-handed intervention. And so the dirty laundry got aired very publicly.
I think I missed one branch council meeting in the past two years. I attended virtually all section committee meetings, marched under the MEAA flag at the Your Rights at Work rallies, and voluntarily sacrificed numerous nights and weekends in the past few years for the union. Not to mention the potential personal cost and career damage that comes from sticking your head up as a workplace delegate.
After those years of self-less service, this was the thanks I got: we don’t want you, we’ll even tell people not to vote for you. So now, I can only return the favour: when I’m next asked to help organise a stopwork meeting or distribute an industrial bulletin in my workplace, I’ll simply have to reply that given the union hierarchy’s rejection of me this election, I’ve reviewed my commitment to the union and decided it’s not worth the effort. Find someone else to do your work for you.
That’s the greater tragedy: because of their pig-headed, win-at-all-costs mentality, the union leadership end up losing the loyalty of yet another foot soldier.
One disturbing trend in this union is the increasing centralisation of all power and decision making at the top. This runs counter to the theory that if unions are to survive in this industrial environment, there needs to be empowerment of the rank-and-file. Instead, the hierarchy of our union is stuck in a Stalinist mindset of ruling with an iron fist, not tolerating any dissent and surrounding itself with hand-picked yes men and women. There is a growing trail of talented and committed people who have either been treated appallingly or given up on the union in disgust or alienation.
People seem to forget that the full-time union officials are paid out of our membership subscriptions to work for us. Yet, when it comes to the democratic functioning of the union, the attitude seems to be: ''we dictate to you''.
Ironically, at the same time as the elections were held, the union’s latest glossy publication, Censorship and Control of the Australian Press, was released. It laments the decreasing freedom of the press in Australia, yet the hierarchy has no problem with stifling freedom within their own union.
At least I've proved something to myself - that while the union hierarchy may pay lip service to democracy, they don't actually practice it.
* There is one bright footnote to this saga. Sue Marriott, a former union official who was shafted several years ago by the hierarchy, was elected a Victorian vice-president, despite the hierarchy urging members not to vote for her. Fortunately, the members have long memories and remembered Sue fondly as an efficient and committed union organiser, and ignored Chris Warren’s orders. Well done, Sue.
Monday, 21 May 2007
Friday, 27 April 2007
Why I'm running
If anyone asks me, I will happily tell them that I believe Chris Warren, Mark Ryan, Louise Connor and the staff of the MEAA are doing the best they can in difficult circumstances.
Like all unions, the MEAA is fighting a rearguard action to protect your rights at work in a hostile environment.
I'm not running for election because I'm a critic of the union or of its administration.
This is why I'm running:
Last year, most of the Victorian branch council came to the conclusion that the council was no longer a functional, decision-making organisation. We were worn out and exasperated by both our lack of real power in determining things like budgets, staff numbers and union policies; and by the interminable, petty debates that turned the meetings into marathon talkfests.
So when the union hierarchy proposed abolishing the state branch council for a new structure, most of us voted in favour with relief.
Hey, I'm as guilty as the rest of us. But, in hindsight, it was handled badly. We should have put it to a referendum of all members and clearly articulated our intentions before voting to abolish the branch council.
That's history now. But I still felt I had a responsibility to continue representing Victorian journalist members in the new federal structure. I couldn't just walk away from the end of the branch council, wipe my hands of it, and say that's that.
Still, I equivocated and even told the state secretary I was still sitting on the fence until a couple of days before nominations closed, and I thought, what the Hell, and put my name in.
In the meantime, the federal and state union secretaries had been busy tapping people on the shoulder to run for positions. This is the way it usually happens, and quite often we end up with x number of candidates for x number of positions. I've even benefitted from it in the past. All very neat and no need for an election. But not very democratic.
My decision to nominate upset that plan.
There are 25 candidates for 24 positions in the Media section. Every one of them is a quality candidate and someone I would be happy to sit on federal council alongside.
But having nominated, I now have to campaign to win, even if that means the union secretary and president telling people not to vote for me. I don't mind losing fairly and squarely, but I do have a problem with intervention in the democratic process.
That's why I'm telling people to approach the task of casting their ballot with an open mind and vote for all candidates for all positions after carefully considering their candidates' statements - not what other people may tell them.
That's democracy.
Decide for yourself.
Like all unions, the MEAA is fighting a rearguard action to protect your rights at work in a hostile environment.
I'm not running for election because I'm a critic of the union or of its administration.
This is why I'm running:
Last year, most of the Victorian branch council came to the conclusion that the council was no longer a functional, decision-making organisation. We were worn out and exasperated by both our lack of real power in determining things like budgets, staff numbers and union policies; and by the interminable, petty debates that turned the meetings into marathon talkfests.
So when the union hierarchy proposed abolishing the state branch council for a new structure, most of us voted in favour with relief.
Hey, I'm as guilty as the rest of us. But, in hindsight, it was handled badly. We should have put it to a referendum of all members and clearly articulated our intentions before voting to abolish the branch council.
That's history now. But I still felt I had a responsibility to continue representing Victorian journalist members in the new federal structure. I couldn't just walk away from the end of the branch council, wipe my hands of it, and say that's that.
Still, I equivocated and even told the state secretary I was still sitting on the fence until a couple of days before nominations closed, and I thought, what the Hell, and put my name in.
In the meantime, the federal and state union secretaries had been busy tapping people on the shoulder to run for positions. This is the way it usually happens, and quite often we end up with x number of candidates for x number of positions. I've even benefitted from it in the past. All very neat and no need for an election. But not very democratic.
My decision to nominate upset that plan.
There are 25 candidates for 24 positions in the Media section. Every one of them is a quality candidate and someone I would be happy to sit on federal council alongside.
But having nominated, I now have to campaign to win, even if that means the union secretary and president telling people not to vote for me. I don't mind losing fairly and squarely, but I do have a problem with intervention in the democratic process.
That's why I'm telling people to approach the task of casting their ballot with an open mind and vote for all candidates for all positions after carefully considering their candidates' statements - not what other people may tell them.
That's democracy.
Decide for yourself.
Response to Crikey!
Christopher Warren, federal secretary of the MEAA, and Ruth Pollard, federal president, AJA section, write: Re. Media union hardball and the $10,000 Tassie witch (yesterday, item 21). Your Tasmanian Crikey correspondent seems to think that you should have elections without campaigning. In the Alliance we're not frightened of robust debate and when people stick their hands up, they shouldn't be surprised when people express a view and write to other members about those views. To suggest some sort of campaign against particular nominees is both untrue and frankly, an affront to the integrity of the Alliance and its membership. Candidates came together to form a ticket and sought the support of their union colleagues -- to seek and offer such support is the right of any member of the union. Campaigning on a ticket for common values and goals, and seeking the endorsement of the membership is a long-held part of the democratic process, and one the Alliance proudly upholds. To resent this is to resent democracy itself. However, it's appalling that Crikey has lent itself as a vehicle for defamatory smears by a disappointed candidate. The cost of the How to Vote leaflets and their distribution was borne by the nominees. As your correspondent well knows, the Alliance is not permitted, at law, to involve itself in the election process and has not done so, nor endorsed any individual.
My reaction: decide for yourself.
My reaction: decide for yourself.
Thursday, 26 April 2007
Decide for yourself
Federal council is the main forum where rank-and-file members of the MEAA can be represented in the making of important decisions by the union and in holding the MEAA's full-time officials accountable, so it is crucial that you vote to have a democratic voice on the council from Victoria now that the state branch council has been abolished.
I offer you experienced, dedicated and independent representation on Federal Council.Fifteen years as a full-time newspaper journalist and MEAA member has given me a comprehensive understanding of the issues confronting our industry and this occupation.
Currently employed at the Melbourne bureau of The Australian Financial Review, my previous experience includes stints as industrial reporter with the Herald Sun; as a member of the Canberra Press Gallery with the News Limited bureau; Australian Associated Press; and suburban and regional newspapers. I am the author of Radio City: The First 30 Years of 3RRR (The Vulgar Press, 2006).I was a member of the national negotiating committee for the News Limited metropolitan dailies EBA in 2002.
As we face increasing concentration of media ownership, growing casualisation of the workforce, and the uncertainty of the new online environment, our union needs strong and experienced representation.
You may have received a leaflet in the mail directing you how to vote, and advising a vote against me. I don't intend to dictate how people should vote.
However, when considering how to vote for all positions - including state and federal vice-presidents - I urge you to approach the task with an open mind and to carefully weigh up all candidates' biographies and statements before making your decision.
I offer you experienced, dedicated and independent representation on Federal Council.Fifteen years as a full-time newspaper journalist and MEAA member has given me a comprehensive understanding of the issues confronting our industry and this occupation.
Currently employed at the Melbourne bureau of The Australian Financial Review, my previous experience includes stints as industrial reporter with the Herald Sun; as a member of the Canberra Press Gallery with the News Limited bureau; Australian Associated Press; and suburban and regional newspapers. I am the author of Radio City: The First 30 Years of 3RRR (The Vulgar Press, 2006).I was a member of the national negotiating committee for the News Limited metropolitan dailies EBA in 2002.
As we face increasing concentration of media ownership, growing casualisation of the workforce, and the uncertainty of the new online environment, our union needs strong and experienced representation.
You may have received a leaflet in the mail directing you how to vote, and advising a vote against me. I don't intend to dictate how people should vote.
However, when considering how to vote for all positions - including state and federal vice-presidents - I urge you to approach the task with an open mind and to carefully weigh up all candidates' biographies and statements before making your decision.
Supporters
Thanks to the following people, among many others, who have offered their support to my candidacy in the last two days:
Farah Farouque, The Age
Mark Davis, Sydney Morning Herald, former federal vice-president of the AJA
Mark Skulley, Australian Financial Review
Dave Lane, freelance editor/producer, former Victorian MEAA industrial officer
Nick Lenaghan, Australian Associated Press
Meaghan Shaw, The Age
Roger Mitchell, Sunday Herald Sun
Ingrid Svendsen, former Walkley Award winner, former Victorian branch councillor, public relations consultant
Neil Wilson, Herald Sun, chairman of HWT house committee
Jeff Whalley, Geelong Advertiser
Royce Millar, The Age
Michael Bachelard, The Age
Farah Farouque, The Age
Mark Davis, Sydney Morning Herald, former federal vice-president of the AJA
Mark Skulley, Australian Financial Review
Dave Lane, freelance editor/producer, former Victorian MEAA industrial officer
Nick Lenaghan, Australian Associated Press
Meaghan Shaw, The Age
Roger Mitchell, Sunday Herald Sun
Ingrid Svendsen, former Walkley Award winner, former Victorian branch councillor, public relations consultant
Neil Wilson, Herald Sun, chairman of HWT house committee
Jeff Whalley, Geelong Advertiser
Royce Millar, The Age
Michael Bachelard, The Age
My vote
I am not part of a ticket, and will not tell people how to vote. But in the interests of full disclosure and transparency, here is how I intend to vote:
Federal vice-presidents
1 POS, Margaretta
2 FLETCHER, Alan
3 MAIN, Monica
(Gina McColl did not provide a candidate statement so I know little about her, except she works for BRW and is a federal councillor. She says she sent a 150 word statement to the Australian Electoral Commission, but they made an error and did not publish it with the others, however, I have not verified this with the AEC.)
Victorian vice-presidents
1 ROBINSON, Paul
2 MARRIOTT, Susan
3 ARTHUR, Robyn
(Paul Robinson is a highly experienced, Walkley-winning journalist who has been an excellent vice-president; Sue Marriott is a former industrial organiser for Equity and a highly-respected figure in the film and TV industries who now runs a production consultancy; Robyn Arthur is a branch vice-president from Equity. I don't know Roger Tafa.)
Federal Media Section
1 PHILLIPS, Mark
2 WILSON, Neil
3 BACHELARD, Michael
(Both Neil and Michael have lent their support to my campaign and are people I have worked with in a union capacity in the past. After that I will simply number 4-24 in order down the ballot sheet.)
Federal vice-presidents
1 POS, Margaretta
2 FLETCHER, Alan
3 MAIN, Monica
(Gina McColl did not provide a candidate statement so I know little about her, except she works for BRW and is a federal councillor. She says she sent a 150 word statement to the Australian Electoral Commission, but they made an error and did not publish it with the others, however, I have not verified this with the AEC.)
Victorian vice-presidents
1 ROBINSON, Paul
2 MARRIOTT, Susan
3 ARTHUR, Robyn
(Paul Robinson is a highly experienced, Walkley-winning journalist who has been an excellent vice-president; Sue Marriott is a former industrial organiser for Equity and a highly-respected figure in the film and TV industries who now runs a production consultancy; Robyn Arthur is a branch vice-president from Equity. I don't know Roger Tafa.)
Federal Media Section
1 PHILLIPS, Mark
2 WILSON, Neil
3 BACHELARD, Michael
(Both Neil and Michael have lent their support to my campaign and are people I have worked with in a union capacity in the past. After that I will simply number 4-24 in order down the ballot sheet.)
Crikey!
The following article appeared in Crikey! earlier today:
By MARGARETTA POS
When is an election not an election? When it's held by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance. That's right, the champions of a democratic society are not so keen on democracy in the ranks.
So much so, that the hierarchy has spent a staggering $10,000 to stop me becoming a Federal Vice President, and Australian Financial Review journalist Mark Phillips from being one of 24 media delegates on the Federal Council. (I am a freelance journalist based in Hobart and the immediate past Tasmania Branch President).
Australian Electoral Commission ballot papers were posted on Monday this week - the same day as a leaflet was posted to 16,361 Alliance members, telling them not to vote for either of us.
Our sin? We weren't hand picked. Meaning there are four candidates for three Vice Presidents and 25 candidates for 24 delegates, which means there has to be an election rather than the semblance of one.
The leaflet was signed by Christopher Warren, as Federal Secretary, and Sydney Morning Herald journalist Ruth Pollard, as Federal President AJA Section. It's endorsed by 37 signatories, including the Branch presidents or secretaries from around the country, bar Tasmania.
The leaflet states in small print that it's paid for "by the friends and supporters of the journalism team standing for federal council." Okay, so they paid for the leaflet. But who paid the whopping postage bill? This shady group? The Alliance?
No-one contacted me to ask why I was standing or to discuss my candidacy. No-one contacted Mark Phillips either.
Goodness! Am I such a threat? The wicked witch from Tasmania whose broomstick must be snapped in two?
I'd heard on the grapevine there was going to be a union ticket which excluded me, so I emailed Christopher Warren last week, to ask how the decision was made and who made it.
This was his response on Friday (April 20), when the leaflet he'd signed was ready for postage on Monday:
"In relation to the election for federal vice-president: Ballot papers are being circulated next week. The Alliance has not -- cannot -- endorse any candidates. I know some officers have indicated their preference as individuals, which is their right as members of the union. However, there will be no official communication to members about any candidates beyond that circulated by the Australian Electoral Commission."
Margaretta has also written a longer article for http://tasmaniantimes.com
By MARGARETTA POS
When is an election not an election? When it's held by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance. That's right, the champions of a democratic society are not so keen on democracy in the ranks.
So much so, that the hierarchy has spent a staggering $10,000 to stop me becoming a Federal Vice President, and Australian Financial Review journalist Mark Phillips from being one of 24 media delegates on the Federal Council. (I am a freelance journalist based in Hobart and the immediate past Tasmania Branch President).
Australian Electoral Commission ballot papers were posted on Monday this week - the same day as a leaflet was posted to 16,361 Alliance members, telling them not to vote for either of us.
Our sin? We weren't hand picked. Meaning there are four candidates for three Vice Presidents and 25 candidates for 24 delegates, which means there has to be an election rather than the semblance of one.
The leaflet was signed by Christopher Warren, as Federal Secretary, and Sydney Morning Herald journalist Ruth Pollard, as Federal President AJA Section. It's endorsed by 37 signatories, including the Branch presidents or secretaries from around the country, bar Tasmania.
The leaflet states in small print that it's paid for "by the friends and supporters of the journalism team standing for federal council." Okay, so they paid for the leaflet. But who paid the whopping postage bill? This shady group? The Alliance?
No-one contacted me to ask why I was standing or to discuss my candidacy. No-one contacted Mark Phillips either.
Goodness! Am I such a threat? The wicked witch from Tasmania whose broomstick must be snapped in two?
I'd heard on the grapevine there was going to be a union ticket which excluded me, so I emailed Christopher Warren last week, to ask how the decision was made and who made it.
This was his response on Friday (April 20), when the leaflet he'd signed was ready for postage on Monday:
"In relation to the election for federal vice-president: Ballot papers are being circulated next week. The Alliance has not -- cannot -- endorse any candidates. I know some officers have indicated their preference as individuals, which is their right as members of the union. However, there will be no official communication to members about any candidates beyond that circulated by the Australian Electoral Commission."
Margaretta has also written a longer article for http://tasmaniantimes.com
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