TWU boss Mem Suleyman facing allegations of serious financial misconduct

One of the state’s biggest trade unions has been thrown into chaos with the boss of the Transport Workers Union facing serious allegations.

Premier Jacinta Allan with TWU boss Mem Suleyman.

One of the state’s biggest trade unions has been thrown into chaos with its leader facing allegations of serious financial misconduct.

Just weeks after the CFMEU was forced into administration over allegations of corrupt behaviour on building sites, serious allegations have been levelled at the boss of the Transport Workers Union.

On Friday the TWU’s Victorian branch secretary Mem Suleyman was confronted by the union with allegations of serious financial misconduct.

Mr Suleyman, the brother of Allan government Minister Natalie Suleyman, has only been in the job for less than a year after the sudden resignation of his predecessor Mike McNess who was re-elected in 2023 after a bitterly fought challenge to his leadership.

Mr Suleyman has been in the job for less than a year.

A senior union figure said the allegations against Mr Suleyman relate to a fund maintained by the TWU’s officials to fight internal union elections.

The Team Fund is a slush used for union elections – is contributed by TWU’s union organisers.

The money is meant to be used to fight the union’s internal election.

But on Friday the union organisers passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Suleyman after it was allegedly discovered that money was missing from the fund.

Mr Suleyman was later confronted by the Union’s branch committee of management who also raised allegations about the use of the union’s credit card.

The branch management is understood to have asked Mr Suleyman to resign which he refused to do.

He then left the union’s Port Melbourne offices.

In his absence the Branch Committee of Management has appointed Branch Assistant Secretary Dissio Markos as acting secretary.

Mr Suleyman was unavailable for comment.

But in a statement last night, the TWU said: “Late on Friday, the TWU became aware of allegations regarding its Victorian Secretary. The TWU strives for the highest levels of governance. The union is not yet in a position to assess the allegations and is seeking further clarity over the weekend.”

Originally published as TWU boss Mem Suleyman facing allegations of serious financial misconduct