Controversial union boss John Setka has told federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese to "grow some balls", amid the latter's no-show at Victoria's Labor Party conference.
Mr Albanese denied his non-attendance at the annual meeting in Melbourne this weekend was sparked by threats of a union walkout.
But the no-show prompted Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union union official John Setka to accuse him of turning his back on union workers.
"(Mr Albanese) says he supports the working class yet he doesn't have the decency to show up and face the workers reps at the ALP state conference," Mr Setka tweeted at the start of the conference on Saturday.
"I'm growing a mo for Movember - how 'bout you grow some balls Albo."
The boss of the construction union's Victorian division was booted from the Labor Party last month.
It came after he was convicted of harassing his wife and accused of saying the work of anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty meant men had fewer rights.
Australian Associated Press