Australian Education Union SA secretary Leah York resigns over ‘shoplifting’ videos

SA education union boss Leah York has quit after videos emerged of her appearing to take items without paying from a Mount Gambier clothing store.

Australian Education Union SA boss Leah York has resigned after allegations she shoplifted two items from a Mount Gambier clothing store.

In a message to members sent Thursday, the union said Ms York, the SA branch secretary, had stepped down after “an incident in Mount Gambier last week”.

“Ms York’s resignation will be effective close of business today,” it said.

“The AEU is in the process of determining arrangements to fill the branch secretary position in accordance with branch rules.

“An election to fill the casual vacancy will be held and conducted by the AEC following Registered Organisation Commission processes.

“We want to assure you that our union remains focused on the issues that matter. Our unity and strength is crucial to securing real change for public educators.”

It is understood union staff were first told of Ms York’s resignation in an email sent about 8.30am, before members were notified in a later email.

Her resignation comes ahead of a crisis meeting of the union executive, which will be held on Thursday evening.

Police have confirmed they are investigating after Ms York was seen taking a knit jumper, worth more than $100, and a $280 handbag from Mount Gambier clothing store Lima & Co. No charges have been laid.

Screengrabs from the video posted by Lima & Co.

Further complicating matters for the union executive is the long-term personal relationship between Ms York and branch president Andrew Gohl.

Ms York on Wednesday resigned from her position on the board of Funds SA, which manages the superannuation of public sector workers.

She visited the store on the afternoon of Tuesday March 7 while in the South-East for briefing sessions about the union’s enterprise bargaining campaign.

Lima & Co posted a since-deleted video that captured Ms York taking a handbag off a display and putting it in her shopping bag, then immediately leaving.

Australian Education Union SA secretary Leah York and her partner, AEU state president Andrew Gohl. Picture: Facebook

She told The Advertiser she believed she had pre-paid for the handbag and, after seeing the video had been posted to Facebook, she contacted the store and paid the money owed.

Ms York described the incident as a “misunderstanding” over her need to urgently use the toilet, which prompted store owner Lisa Attard to review CCTV of Ms York’s entire time in the shop.

Ms Attard said she then discovered footage of Ms York picking up a second item – an orange knit jumper – before tucking it into her shopping bag and leaving without paying.