Mr Ferguson came under fire earlier this year after footage emerged during the March state election campaign of him backing the NSW Liberal Party's plan to private electricity assets.

Labor strongly opposed the privatisation proposal.

Earlier this month, he defeated a union-led push to expel him from the ALP, which had support from sections of the parliamentary party.

But at the party's national conference on Sunday, Maritime Union of Australia national secretary Paddy Crumlin and WA state secretary Christy Cain successfully moved the motion condemning the former cabinet minister and ACTU chief, with support also coming from the Australian Workers Union secretary Scott McDine.

"This conference condemns Martin Ferguson whose self-serving public commentary is not in the interest of the party, party members or the Labour movement," the motion read.

"Martin Ferguson does not deserve to be considered a Labor elder and must be condemned as a disgraced former Labor politician."

Mr Crumlin told the conference he was ashamed of Mr Ferguson.

"Wake up to yourself, mate," he said.

"If you want to come back to the party, treat us with a bit of respect, Martin."

Comment has been sought from Mr Ferguson.

- with AAP