'I would urge UWU staff not to attend'

A leaked email has revealed United Workers Union Western Australian branch secretary Carolyn Smith urged union staff not to attend a rally supporting a ceasefire in Gaza as it was outside a Labor MP’s office.

In the email, which Smith sent from her UWU account to all branch staff on November 29, 2023, Smith forbade UWU staff from attending the planned protest outside the office of Labor MP for Perth Patrick Gorman while sporting union-branded clothing or merchandise.

“While I understand many of us have strong views on this issue (and I have seen many of you at the rallies supporting Palestine and calling for a ceasefire) I would urge UWU staff not to attend this rally,” Smith wrote. “Patrick is a long term UWU member and strong supporter of our members [sic] issues in the federal caucus.

“However if staff do attend I want to make it clear that you should not wear UWU t-shirts or take flags. Whilst I have said this is appropriate for the community rallies etc it would not be appropriate given Patricks [sic] strong support for UWU members.”

I sent questions to the UWU’s WA branch and Gorman’s office on March 3 but have received no reply.