Friday, April 13, 2012

Unions NSW: HSU suspension

The Executive and full council of Unions NSW has tonight voted to accept Michael Williamson's resignation as Vice President, and also to suspend the Health Services Union's affiliation until governance issues can be resolved.

Mr Williamson was asked to resign last week, amid ongoing negative publicity about the Health Services Union leadership spilling over to affect the reputation of the broader union movement.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon noted Mr Williamson's resignation.

Further, he said tonight's suspension of the HSU East branch sent a clear message about appropriate behaviour and governance for the NSW trade union movement.

"Six hundred thousand working people across NSW rely on a strong and vibrant trade union movement to represent their interests in the workplace and tonight's decision allows us to get on with the job of representing working people,” Mr Lennon said.

"This was not an action taken lightly, but it is in the interests of all working people across the State.

"Unions NSW will continue to assist the members of the Health Services Union in whatever way we practically can."

Mr Williamson has also resigned as a Unions NSW representative on the board of First State Super.

"In due course, Unions NSW hopes to restore the Health Services Union to full affiliation, but only once we are satisfied that all governance issues have been rectified," Mr Lennon said.

"We want to send a clear message to HSU members that they have our full support as we continue to defend their workplace rights and conditions."

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