Accountability, transparency, sound management, freedom from corruption- those are the benchmarks that the labour unions always hold public institutions up to. But what if one of the country's leading unions was accused of some of those same misdeeds it's always accusing government of? Well, that's just what's happening at the Christian Workers Union.
7NEWS has confirmed that the Crimes Investigation Branch is investigating the misappropriation of as much as $18,000 from the Christian Workers' Union. Information to 7NEWS suggests that as many as three employees are being investigated for forging the signatures of the three authorized persons who must jointly sign checks. At least three dozen checks were forged and cashed between March and July. The total amount is reported to be in the vicinity of $18,000. And the missing money has caused a deep rift in the executive. 6 days ago on July 19th, Vice President Emerson Burke wrote to the general membership telling them about the, "speculations of forgery and loss of $18,000 from the union's general coffers."
7NEWS has obtained a copy of that letter. Explaining that there has been no audit for three years, Burke advises members that he lays the blame, "squarely on the shoulders of the executive in general, and the President (Antonio Gonzalez) in particular." Burke concludes that, "it seems we have fallen short of being answerable to the people who had placed us in office." He says that a few have been allowed to run awry in the union, "running the office and the affairs without restraint and without regard." In closing, Burke calls on the President to give urgent notice of elections and he urges affiliates to withhold their union dues until a full report is made.
So what does embattled President Pancho Gonzalez have to say about all these charges? Well today, he told us that he could not comment freely because a police investigation is underway. But he says that audit for the year ending December 2006 is complete and it will be presented at an executive meeting on Friday of this week. Gonzalez and General Secretary James McFoy added that they had nothing to hide and their consciences were clear. They met with union representatives today and will make police statements tomorrow.
Gonzalez says a full statement will be issued after Friday's executive meeting. He says that a general membership meeting will be held in November. The CWU has 600 members.
