User:Catiline52/John Setka

John Setka is an Australian trade unionist. He is the Victorian state secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union and is known for his militant approach to industrial action.

Biography
John Setka was born to a Croatian labourer Bob Setka. Bob was among the few labourers who survived West Gate Bridge collapse in 1970, a tragedy caused by improper structural design which killed 35 workers.

Setka began working as a labourer at the age of 19, where he began being involved with trade union movement under the Builders Labourers Federation. While in the BLF, he was mentored by the Victorian state secretary of the union John Cummins.

Union leadership (2012–Present)
Setka's approach to industrial action has been controversial due to the "pervasive power of the CFMEU over construction companies". In 2012, following criticisms, he sued the then opposition leader Tony Abbott for "allegedly implying he is a union thug".

In 2015, Setka encouraged workers within the Rail, Tram and Bus Union to strike during the Australian Football League finals to "use finals fever to their advantage in their bitter industrial fight with Metro Trains and Yarra Trams". The decision was criticised by Victorian Labor minister Jacinta Allan due the strike's impact on businesses.

In June 2019, the Australian Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese proposed to expel Setka over alleged comments against "anti-violence campaigner Rosie Batty". The following day, Setka objected to any attempt to remove him from his position, stating that there was "dirty politics at work" due to his "view of where the union should be in regards to the ALP, and some people probably don't share that view".