Unions heavyweights in talks over a new Labor deal

THE state’s most militant union has split from Premier Daniel Andrews’ faction in a major Victorian Labor Party upheaval which could significantly erode the Premier’s power internally.

Jane Garrett and Adem Somyurek leave a caucus meeting.

THE state’s most militant union has sensationally split from Premier Daniel Andrews’ faction in a major Victorian Labor Party upheaval, which could significantly erode the premier’s power internally.

The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union along with the train drivers union and the Financial Service Union have in recent days split from Mr Andrews’ Socialist Left group and are now in talks with the party’s Right.

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The group of unions, which call themselves the Industrial Left, back former emergency services minister Jane Garrett.

Ms Garrett recently lost a preselection battle for a safe Upper House seat, due to elements of her faction voting against her, and at this stage is not running in next year’s state election.

The state’s most militant union has sensationally split from Premier Daniel Andrews’ faction, Picture: David Caird

The group of unions, which call themselves the Industrial Left, back former emergency services minister Jane Garrett. Picture: David Caird

Talks were also held on Tuesday at the Australian Workers’ Union headquarters that focused reunifying Labor’s Right faction — which has been riven by division for years.

Sources have told the Herald Sun the shop assistants union has formally agreed to join the Centre Unity faction.

Negotiations are also under way to combine Centre Unity with the Industrial Left and create a super-faction which would control the Victorian Labor Party.

Other powerful unions in the super-faction would be the Transport Workers Union, Health Workers Union and the Health and Community Services Union.

The group would create an almost insurmountable voting block within Victorian Labor and be able to ensure their chosen candidates are preselected to parliamentary seats

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