19mar02

THE two Victorian union leaders who quit the Labor Party have ruled out leading a proposed workers' party.

Electrical Trades Union (ETU) state secretary Dean Mighell quit the ALP in disgust last week over the Labor Party's treatment of the unions.

His United Firefighters Union (UFU) counterpart Peter Marshall will tender his resignation from the party tomorrow.

Other leading union figures have publicly stated they are reviewing their own ALP membership and are predicting a flood of departures from grass roots Labor Party members.

Up to six Victorian unions are also considering whether or not to sever ties with the ALP, a move that would cost the party dearly in lost affiliation fees.

Before Christmas, Mr Mighell and Mr Marshall drafted a constitution for a new worker-based party.

But both men today ruled out leading the as-yet-unnamed political party, which Mr Marshall said may not ever be formed.

They also backed away from leading an alternative to the ALP if it did ever get off the ground.

"I'm a firefighter," Mr Marshall said.

"I'm certainly not a political animal, by any means."

Mr Marshall said the UFU would meet in four to six weeks to decide whether or not to remain affiliated with the ALP.

The ETU, however, will not make a decision on Labor Party affiliation until its December state conference.

Mr Mighell today denied his resignation from the Labor Party had been a publicity stunt.

"It was a personal decision and I ask people to respect that," he said.

"If I had of wanted to give Labor a huge smack in the face I would have talked to the other unions, gotten a very clear caucus position and gone - bang."

Several Labor figures met with Mr Mighell yesterday, but none managed to entice him back to the fold.

"Nothing has changed," he said, although he refused to elaborate on whether he would go through with his internet application to join the Greens.

Like his colleague, Mr Mighell said he would not lead the proposed new political party.

"I'm a union official," he said.

"I work a shitload of hours. I'm not going to lead a new political party."

Mr Mighell said the Labor Party should take note of the public reaction to his resignation.

"One single person resigning in isolation has brought out a whole lot of feeling on this issue that the Labor Party needs to take note of," he said.

"Ignore it at their peril."