Episode 56 – "The Betrayal of the CFMEU: Democracy in Decline"

In this explosive episode, we break down one of the most significant political attacks on a union in Australian history—the orchestrated takedown of the CFMEU. We examine the ALP’s betrayal of the workers' movement, the role of right-wing media in shaping public perception, and how this sets a dangerous precedent for all unions. With deep analysis and first-hand insights, we expose the hypocrisy, the power struggles, and the real beneficiaries of this attack on militant unionism. If you care about democracy, workers’ rights, and the future of union power, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

What happened? Sit down, crack a can or three, enter the shed and solve the many problems of the universe. Throw water on a few fires and some fuel on others; it gets spicy. From wandering through reems of detailed notes and diving down as many rabbit holes as opportunities provide, enjoy comrades, enjoy.

Breaking down conflict in a general sense, using the current Middle East conflict for context and the parallels to all disputes, including the workplace.

Wherever the priority is profit or the accumulation of wealth exists, it is incredible how quickly the motivations of humanity and its survival become corrupted.

This one slips under the tree just in time for Christmas, comrades. Wrapped in a festive haze, the sticky tape is on an angle, and the folds are far neat, but the shed will never let the perfect get in the way of the possible.

It has been a year of military conflict, conflicting positions, and positions that seem to contradict, and that's just when you realise a half-decent dip has nothing to do with a bunch of freedom fighters in the Gaza Strip.

Keeping your finger on the pulse may have been a challenge on the front line of your daily struggle, but fear not, comrades, being a good cunt in a time-poor world is easier than you may think.

So find a quiet corner of your space, pour yourself something refreshing and kick back, we have you sorted for the next hour or so.

Australians are being asked a question about an idea. An idea formed from a position of human to human respect, unity and equality. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the indigenous peoples of Australia and their place in this country for 65 million years and to set the country on a path of healing from the recent history since colonisation.

A Yes is hope.

A No is the Status Quo at best.

The Shed looks at the upcoming referendum through a working class lens. This is a working class struggle by almost every marker.

The Shed looks at why punters should vote yes and how those opposed are caught in the same opposition thrown at the many historical struggles of working people.

The pursuit of equality, no matter the group seeking, is always met by those representing the wealthy establishment who see all equality as an attack on their riches and power.

We have seen their opposition to the right to universal vote (men and women), the eight-hour workday, the two-day weekend, the forty-hour week, for universal health care, the right to a safe place of work and now, and what we see in opposition to a recognition of Australia's first peoples and a forum to listen to their ideas, for a path to equality, in their own country.

Working people have bore witness to this opposition before and see a Yes vote as a working-class vote for a better Australia.

Links for the content mentioned in the show

Yes23 Campaign

Thomas Mayo on the Betoota Advocate Podcast

This podcast was recorded on land that was never ceded. Always was,Always will be, Aboriginal Land

It's a tangent-riddled episode! Everything is on the menu; Tales from the road, tales of activism, tales of democracy, segways, same job, same pay, bosses who prefer division over productivity, politics in sport, stadiums in Tasmania, it is all dished up, some served cold!

The French are flipping cars again, gas pipelines are blowing up, Friendly Jordie is still vertical and still fighting the good fight, a power revolution is finally upon us, Clarkys RW journalist mates get fully upright and erect over subs, Australian money printers go brrr, strong old testament vibes, privatised essential public services continually fail to self regulate, and the Shed turns 50. That's right; we are almost boomer.

Friendly Jordies - YouTube Channel

Understanding Economics

Richard Denniss - Big

also

Solid Docu-Drama... haha but seriously

Dont Look Up

Concrete Gang 

Democracy at work

When the dust settles 

Onkalo into Eternity

In The Shed Ep.048 - Jan.21 2023 - When a conservative dies, We have a party

Jacinda pulls the pin on NZ's drift to the left, Pell's in hell, Molan exits leaving a trail of broken dreams ...and conservative commentators wind themselves into a status quo lather on their version of historical storytelling.

The eternal search continues for a politician patriotic to the skin and bone of their nations, beyond their borders, embracing a global, collective, class struggle.

Eyes Left Podcast delivers more gold, and the Wake ups #1 episode... is highly recommended.

2023 is the year of the guest, and the first cab of the rank is experienced unionist and activist Jon "if only you could bottle the passion" Clark. Jon expands on his activist/historical project, The Radical History History Collective. A project building cultural union awareness through its historical resource. His serendipities journey from Kent, UK to Ryde st North Hobart unknowingly follows "Death or Liberty"'s lead character William Cuffey.

This episode was a blast, enjoy

 Jon is guiding a radical and mighty "Radical History Collective" pub crawl on Saturday 4th Feb. starting at the Shipwright Arms Battery Point see ya there

Reading List

War is a Racket

Watch

Death or Liberty

Part 2

Picking up where we left off with Steph - The cost of addiction, the war on drugs, incarceration, post-incarceration, and homelessness is a cycle that needs worker-led solutions. Steph walks us through the solutions that are working in pockets worldwide and how Australia has an opportunity for the first time in a decade to do something to address inequality, predatory capitalism and many more systemic issues undermining a good life for all workers. 

The war in Ukraine - Letterman's Propaganda fluff piece on Netflix 

Bring back the dept of housing. If defence housing can be free of stigma, then come on, housing must be a realized human right, not just an aspiration.

What industry's shouldn’t be nationalised? It’s a short list and is not growing.

Plus, relaxation tips for the summer break

The Big Short

All Quiet on the Western Front

Eyes Left Podcast - A socialist, anti-war military podcast hosted by veterans.

2022 was a mixed bag, and this is a mixed-bag episode, something for everyone. There is no tangent or rabbit hole this episode wouldn't embrace.

Tips for Christmas BBQs, dealing with your boomer relatives, how to be a swear bear on Twitter whilst not being sin-binned, how to take 10 mins to answer a yes/no question. Rich people missing the point; starring Meghan and Harry. What can good Labor Governments do for working people? Why do the right and the wealthy they serve hate progressive politics and influential and effective Labor leaders? We Break down the 2023 Federal referendum on the "Voice". There are Christmas-themed Memes. Old mate Steph calls in, takes the talking stick and goes for a run. Her 5 minutes timed out after about an hour on the phone, and we loved her energy as always. Sully, the In The Shed mascot, is officially welcomed back. The war in Europe... and so much more.