‘‘Grassroots’’ trade union group, Shire Community Union Alliance, said more than 100 people attended its election forum at Tradies club Gymea on Tuesday night.
Candidates in the seats of Miranda, Heathcote and Cronulla were invited.
Liberals did not come.
An alliance statement said candidates were ‘‘put through an intense two and a half hours of questioning’’ on issues ranging from ‘‘cuts to Gymea and Loftus TAFE colleges, privatisation of electricity assets and health services, and ongoing concerns with the shire transport network’’.
‘‘The night ended with the Labor and Green candidates signing the ‘pledge to the people of the shire’ which commits them to fighting for decent jobs, strong rights and quality public services.’’
Natasha Watson (Greens Heathcote), who had to leave early, said she would sign the pledge at a later date.
Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon said the absence of the Liberal candidates showed ‘‘contempt’’ for workers in the shire.
Sutherland Hospital registered nurse Michelle Brady expressed concern for patient care ‘‘if we move to that Americanised system where insurance companies decide what level of care you get’’.
As reported in the Leader on Thursday, Mark Speakman, Liberal candidate for Cronulla, described the meeting as a ‘‘partisan publicity stunt to help the union bosses who dictate policy to [Opposition Leader] Luke Foley and local Labor candidates’’.
‘‘Calling yourself a ‘community’ group is a nice PR stunt, but it can’t disguise that you are just the local wing of Unions NSW whose boss Mark Lennon is the state boss of the ALP,’’ he said in an email to organiser Michael Pugh.
‘‘The current scaremongering by some of your affiliate unions and Unions NSW is a disgrace.
‘‘In particular, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association officials should hang their heads in shame over blatantly deceitful TV advertising suggesting that the state government is going to ‘Americanise’ the health system.
‘‘That suggestion is utter rubbish.’’
Did you attend the meeting?
