Vinnies Council Suspended Over Bullying'

One Australia's largest trade unions welcomed the move to St Vincent de Paul Council suspend its NSW, after years of bullying complaints.

Society national president, Syd Tutton, rejected the State Council last Friday in a move to halt the negative culture that developed the branch.

St Vincent de Paul Society National CEO John Falzon said incidences of bullying emerged as a result of the branch to take the corporate approach to management.

Over the years, incidents have been reported involving a national leader as bullying staff and members of society," Mr Falzon said today.

We are an organization that has a social justice in his heart that this was something that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet, there is a real desire to address those problems."
Mr. Falzon said he could not give further details of the complaints, as they investigate the subject.

Australian Services Union, which represents the community workers, said it is hearing complaints from the public employee for several years.

The alleged problems to follow "changes at the top," almost five years ago, when a new chief executive and head of human resources, was appointed.

At that time we've been in constant war with the St Vincent de Paul,« ASU NSW Branch Secretary flash McManus said.

"They received a corporate-style management.

Ms. McManus said ASU successfully fought unfair dismissal case of two workers from the NSW branch two years ago, and last week it won a back pay claim $ 250,000 for members who do not pay the correct rates.

He said the union was "extremely pleased" that the NSW Council were suspended.

It's rare that you see decisive action taken, and I welcome it."