Anthony Albanese's first captain's call as Labor leader has sparked mutiny — it is not known yet how dangerous.

By demanding the ALP's national executive expel union ratbag John Setka, the Labor leader has put the party's ruling body in an invidious position.

It is caught between the imperative to preserve the new leader's authority and the annoyance of union figures (plus the odd parliamentarian) who whisper furiously about denial of natural justice.

Some, like Maritime Union national president Christy Cain, aren't going to whisper complaint. They will shout it.

Mr Cain says expelling Mr Setka because of "false" and "rubbish" claims that Mr Setka had denigrated anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty would be disgraceful.

He says he was in the room last Wednesday when Mr Setka was meant to have made the comments, and that Mr Albanese was foolish to have accepted the veracity of the retelling.

And he's suggested it should be Mr Albanese — not Mr Setka — who should resign.

This looms as an ugly spat barely a fortnight into Mr Albanese's leadership, and one that might corral more enemies on Labor's industrial Left if not pinched out quickly.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 31 seconds 1 m 31 s Maritime Union national president Christy Cain says John Setka did not denigrate Rosie Batty

Mr Albanese is not a creature of the unions. Indeed, he's made that part of his broader appeal.

That said, the Labor leader is confident he is on the side of the union gods by standing against Mr Setka, who has a lengthy rap sheet of convictions and fines for assault, theft, wilful trespass and other serious matters dating back to 1982, and who regularly meets with Lygon Street identity Mick Gatto.

There's no love for the controversial construction union boss in the broader union movement, and there's little doubt Mr Setka's enemies were waiting for a moment to wield the knife.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 31 seconds 31 s Anthony Albanese says he'll move for John Setka's expulsion from the ALP

Union characters like Mr Setka and Mr Cain live and breathe conflict.

They boast members who will follow them over the cliff.

By standing up to them and their power base, Mr Albanese is doing what no-one has dared do in Labor for years.

But his authority as the new Labor leader requires them to be put in their place.

That job starts with ACTU secretary Sally McManus, who meets Mr Setka today.