Complaints are being reported to the NSW Union Office from members who have received calls to their private home or mobile telephone number as of last Friday afternoon from person(s) claiming to be from the Communication Workers Union – in relation to the present Union election for Divisional Vice President within the CEPU Communications Division.
The telephone call to members is from an unknown person(s) purporting to be representing the Communication Workers Union and is demanding for members to vote for Mario Royeca in the present Union election.
Please note that these telephone calls are not being made from the NSW Branch of the Union and it is a major concern to the alleged unlawful conduct occurring by the person(s) making these telephone calls and how they are breaching Commonwealth Privacy Laws with having access to member’s private home or mobile telephone numbers.
It is also an offence under section 190 of the Fair Work (registered Organisations) Act 2009, if Union resources are being utilised in an election. Section 190 of the Act states:
190 Organisation or branch must not assist one candidate over another
An organisation or branch commits an offence if it uses, or allows to be used, its property or resources to help a candidate against another candidate in an election under this Part for an office or other position.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units.
What we can confirm is that Mr Mario Royeca is a candidate in the election for Divisional Vice President and is supported by the Divisional Office along with the Victorian Branches of the Union.
If members are angry and concerned with their private telephone numbers being accessed by unknown persons purporting to be from the Union on behalf of Mr Mario Royeca, then they are encouraged to gather particulars and take the following steps in forwarding their complaint onto the relevant authority listed below and copy in your NSW Branch Office of the Union;
- Record the telephone number from where the call is made from including, the time and date;
- If the person is ringing from a private number, ask them for their telephone number so you can ring them back;
- Record the person(s) full name that is making the call and ask them where they obtained your private telephone number from.
- Forward all the particulars and your complaint to:
Australian Electoral Commission
Returning Officer Mr Shane Lanning
Telephone (03) 9285 7145 or email shane.lanning@aec.gov.au
Or
Fair Work Australia
Telephone: (02) 8374 6666 or email sydney@fwa.gov.au
and ensure you provide a copy to:
CEPU NSW Postal and Telecommunications Branch
Telephone (02) 98937822 or email admina@cepu.org
Should you require any further information, please contact Branch Assistant Secretary Shane Murphy or Branch Officials Peter Chaloner, Gil Enzon, TK Ly, Nathan Metcher, Greg Rayner or Aaron Stockdale on (02) 9893 7822.
Yours faithfully,
JIM METCHER
BRANCH SECRETARY
Comments are closed.
