Nobody better embodies the troubles in the modern union movement than John Setka.

Ever since Setka indicated a month ago he would plead guilty to criminal charges of harassing a woman and breaching court orders, the calls for him to step aside have grown louder.

All of this, timed perfectly before the first sitting week of the newly-elected Morrison government - which wants to bring back legislation allowing the deregistration of what it calls “rogue” unions.

The unions have a dilemma on their hands - after gaining domestic violence leave for millions of Australian workers, their achievement is being undermined by a powerful leader labelled ‘misogynist’ by a magistrate.

This week, how does the modern labor movement solve a problem like John Setka?

Host:

Tory Maguire, National Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Guests:

Anna Patty, Workplace Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald.

Ben Schneiders, Investigative journalist, The Age.

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How are we doing? Get in touch with the team: pleaseexplain@theage.com.au or pleaseexplain@smh.com.au