‘Shoppies’ to defy leader on marriage
The Australian ‘shoppies’ union is well know for conservative leader Joe de Bruyn’s opposition to same-sex marriage, but a group of union members are set to defy his views in a Senate inquiry into same-sex marriage tomorrow.
Members of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) Members for Equality group will front the inquiry at Melbourne Town Hall tomorrow at 1pm to call to legalise same-sex marriage.
SDA Members for Equality spokesman Duncan Hart said he believes a majority of SDA members don’t agree with de Bruyn’s stance.
“This is especially the case amongst retail workers, who are predominantly young and urban,” Hart said.
“It is farcical that our union leadership is so out of touch with members’ attitudes.
“We aim to put him under pressure to change his stance, and bring it in line with the workers he is supposed to represent.”
De Bruyn has continued to oppose a change to the Marriage Act telling the Australian Labor Party (ALP) National Conference last year the party would lose votes in marginal electorates if it changed its platform to support marriage equality.
Public rallies calling for Australia to allow same-sex marriage will be held around Australia next Saturday, May 12.
Speakers at the Melbourne event will include Greens MP Adam Bandt, Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Carl Katter, Workers Out! Spokesman Ben Convey, PFLAG Victoria representative Kerrie Bietzel and Equal Love convenor Ali Hogg.
The rally will take place at the State Library of Victoria.
I am also an SDA member who is appalled at Joe de Bruyn and a passionate supporter of marriage equality. Any ideas how to get involved in this group of SDA members for equal marriage? If there is a petition or something, I would happily pass it around my workplace.
Could de Bruyn be in the closet of one of the Union’s shops?
Congratulations you brave guys. It is high time the De Bruyn was given his come-uppance. He belongs in the Dark Ages.
Hey, good job guys! Im also a member of the woollies group under Mr De Bruyn’s SDA, and was horrified when the man said he spoke for us.
Keep fighting the good fight.
I am ashamed of my Catholic Third Reich leaders.
What about doing some de-baptisms while we are at it?