May 28, 2026 — 11:30amA battle for control of one of Australia’s biggest unions is set to reshape Labor politics for years to come, potentially upending the party’s balance of power that decides premiers and opposition leaders.The United Workers Union, created seven years ago by the merger between the National Union of Workers and United Voice, was supposed to become an industrial superpower. But it is only now, as a result of a tense internal election that wraps up this week, that the UWU will be truly ready to throw its weight around.The United Workers Union is one of the nation’s biggest groups. Joe ArmaoAnd the consequences are expected to be profound – shaping everything from Labor policy fights and preselection contests through to statewide leadership battles.In 2019, the UWU brought together the NUW’s representation of warehousing and logistics workers and the United Voice’s membership across industries including cleaning, childcare and hospitality. A power-sharing arrangement was created to give both sides control of the new union – one of the nation’s largest, with more than 145,000 members – but that broke down, leaving the two camps now competing for control.Labor insiders are closely watching the result, to be finalised early next month after ballots close on Thursday, because of its nationwide ramifications, including in future party leadership contests in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.United Voice, the larger union of the two, is sometimes still referred to as “the missos” because its broad base meant it was once named the Federated Miscellaneous Workers’ Union. Sitting on the left of the ALP, it has always been seen as a politically savvy outfit.That reputation has been bolstered since the merger, particularly in Queensland where UWU state secretary Gary Bullock controlled the factional fortunes of former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and those of her successor, Steven Miles, as Labor’s Left-faction convenor.Former Queensland premier Steven Miles and Gary Bullock (inset).Oscar Colman and Glenn CampbellBy comparison, the NUW base is smaller but more industrially militant, having prided itself on its victories in the workplace and its influence within the Right of the Victorian Labor Party.When the two groups merged, it was agreed the new union would move to the left – a decision that shifted the factional alignment of MPs elected with the union’s backing – but that leadership responsibilities would be shared.It is only after this week’s election that the UWU will finally have a singular voice and direction.A victory for the left-leaning “missos”, whose power base is strongest in Queensland, could see them exert a greater influence in Labor Party matters in Victoria and South Australia.A victory for the former NUW, whose power is strongest in Victoria, would conversely upend Labor’s power structures in Queensland. United Voice campaigners have accused them of plotting a “Victorian takeover”.There is even speculation within Labor that a victory for the NUW-linked camp could see the union realign with the party’s Right flank or even disaffiliate entirely. Union sources, speaking anonymously to detail private conversations, have dismissed this scenario as unlikely. They argue it would be more advantageous for the UWU to continue to exert influence from within the Left faction.Either way, according to two Labor sources, the UWU looms as a crucial bloc in future leadership contests.In the event that Labor loses November’s Victorian election, the union-aligned MPs in the party’s caucus could be the kingmakers who determine whether a contender from the party’s Left faction – such as Gabrielle Williams or Steve Dimopoulos – or Ben Carroll from the Right, takes over from Jacinta Allan, assuming she does not seek to hold on to the top job.Premier Jacinta Allan speaking at last weekend’s Labor state conference.Penny StephensThe premier’s leadership has been shored up by NUW MPs who followed the merged union to her Left faction in 2022.The “missos” are represented in this week’s election by United for You, and the NUW camp makes up most of a ticket known as Members First. Whoever secures the majority of 500 delegates on the union’s national council will be able to secure the leadership.“This is a real turning point for us and for members to make a choice about what’s important to them,” said UWU national president Jo Schofield, who is leading the United for You ticket.“We gave it a red-hot crack in terms of bringing the union together. [We] tried to make it work, but ultimately, our values weren’t aligned.”UWU national president Jo Schofield.Justin McManusUnited for You is promising it will improve the union’s finances, prevent fee hikes, and campaign for political wins that benefit members alongside wage agreements.Members First, led by UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy, argues the union has become too involved in factional power plays, and is pledging to give the membership a greater say over its political manoeuvres. They believe they can make the UWU a more potent industrial force with a greater presence on work sites and a $1 million strike fund.“Members tell us they are tired of union leaders playing factional politics for power and influence, instead of focussing on the issues that matter to members,” Kennedy said.“Decisions about how we engage politically need to be more transparent and democratic and not be decided by one or two people at the top.”United Workers Union national secretary Tim Kennedy.Eamon GallagherKennedy’s team has promised UWU members would be told about meetings with politicians and any backroom deals, and that donations would be approved by their 50-person elected member council. They have also flagged that the UWU under their leadership would be prepared to withdraw support for Labor if it believed election commitments were broken.Schofield said her pitch to members was about unity, and characterised her competition as focused on grievance and division.“To not be politically active is really naive because whoever is in power impacts industries where members work,” she said.“We are very strategic about how we campaign, and to present that as a party political thing is really disingenuous, and it’s actually insulting to those members who have been on the front line advocating for changes to their sector.”Whoever wins, one thing is clear. “By the middle of the year, the UWU won’t be at loggerheads with itself any more,” a senior union figure said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We’ll see how much of a force it has become.”Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. 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