Paul Howes to quit, Labor to lose

[nero_bolt]

Australia's highest profile unionist, Paul Howes, is expected to announce his resignation from the union movement on Monday.

Sources within the Australian Workers Union confirmed on Sunday night that Mr Howes, its national secretary, would announce his departure.

It was not clear if Mr Howes, who could not be reached for comment on Sunday night, would stand down immediately or see out the remainder of his term as head of the union.

He was re-elected its national secretary only last year. Mr Howes, 32, is engaged to Qantas executive Olivia Wirth and has, since announcing their relationship, been unwilling to comment on issues relating to the airline - where his union has hundreds of members. Mr Howes and Ms Wirth will marry in April.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/paul-howes-expected-to-stand-down-from-union-m...

[boris1gary]

Fantastic news, finally the little grub is gone - thanks for the good news story. 

[boris1gary]

Fingers crossed he leaves the ALP, always wondered if he meant to sign up with the libs and accidentally joined the ALP instead. What a great thing, good news is a little on the light side these days..............

[silverfaun]

I wonder what the real story is??

[boris1gary]

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@silverfaun wrote:

I wonder what the real story is??

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mmmmmmm let me think, he is a right wing little grub who has been having a hissy fit since he failed in his bid for pre selection and started to realise that he wasn't as powerful as he thought he was, and he has been trying his hardest to besmirch our Trade Union movement ever since. He has also failed in trying to poach members from one of the more progressive Unions, so he has finally decided to go where he truly belongs - with the bosses. Good riddance.

[catsnknots]

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@silverfaun wrote:

I wonder what the real story is??

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He is dating a hot chick that is probably more right than left..... she obviously was a good influence. 

The ALP and Union members hate him for dating her... I forgot her name but she is the spokes person for Qantas. 

[lakeland27]

rubbish. he wants to work in the private sector to shore up his credentials and avoid the abbott war on unions.

[catsnknots]

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@boris1gary wrote:

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@silverfaun wrote:

I wonder what the real story is??

---

mmmmmmm let me think, he is a right wing little grub who has been having a hissy fit since he failed in his bid for pre selection and started to realise that he wasn't as powerful as he thought he was, and he has been trying his hardest to besmirch our Trade Union movement ever since. He has also failed in trying to poach members from one of the more progressive Unions, so he has finally decided to go where he truly belongs - with the bosses. Good riddance.

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Without those hated bosses your beloved union members would have zero jobs..... 

Once upon a time we desperately needed unions... they are now a useless commodity, we have other securities in place that will ensure that workers are looked after..... a union official is only out to climb the ladder and not to look after it's members. 

[silverfaun]

Breaking news is he's cleared the deck for a run on federal politics.

Uh oh!  look out Bill,  a man who is not hollow is stalking you. Bill and Howes are mortal enemies after Bill knifed Gillard.

Should be interesting, maybe musical leadership chairs.....again,  something has to be done as far as Labor is concerned Bill is a failure and they know it.

Do they want Bill to stay?  he makes a great punching bag.

[i-need-a-martini]

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@catsnknots wrote:

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Once upon a time we desperately needed unions... they are now a useless commodity, we have other securities in place that will ensure that workers are looked after..... a union official is only out to climb the ladder and not to look after it's members. 

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Yes. You keep on thinking that unions are useless today just because they quiety go on with their business and you never take note of what is going on except the negatives you read about in the Murdoch rags and Pickering/Bolt blogs.

However, I doubt if the thousands of 20 year olds in the retail industry who were finally awarded adult salaries last week after a long battle by the unions would feel the same way.