In the 1940s, it had a significant communist influence, with high-profile figures like Jack Hughes holding key union offices.
The union was taken over by moderate left-wing members in the 1980s in a push associated with Lindsay Tanner.
[6][7] The FCU was the first of four unions disaffiliated after the split of 1955 to attempt to return at the ALP Victorian State Conference in 1983.
[8] The Federated Clerks' case, 'after a bitter and at times acrimonious 3 and a 1/2 hour debate', which was 'centered on alleged links' with Santamaria, the National Civic Council, and the Industrial Action Fund, was defeated at the State Conference by 289 votes to 189.
[8] It was noted in a news report of the time that all four unions were likely to appeal to the federal ALP executive and that they had the support of then Prime Minister Bob Hawke.