Ex Australian Education Union (AEU) official claims he suffered mental problems after he was forced to resign

A VETERAN Australian Education Union official claims warlike injuries including PTSD, panic attacks and nightmares after years of bulling and harassment by his own union.

The AEU staff member says he has been left with mental injuries similar to battle fatigue.

A VETERAN union official claims years of bullying and harassment by his own union have left him with mental injuries similar to battle fatigue.

Organiser Tony Delaney is suing the Australian Education Union, claiming he was forced to resign in 2012 on the basis of false allegations.

In a writ lodged with the County Court, Mr Delaney, 68, alleges that throughout his employment in 2008-09 and 2011-12, he suffered injury due to “bullying, harassment and false and unfair accusations being made against him”.

He claims to have suffered psychiatric injury, stress, shock and anxiety, panic attacks, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleeplessness and recurrent nightmares.

He also claims he has suffered skin disorders and conditions, reactive dermatitis, alcohol dependency, and complications from medication.

Mr Delaney claims his injuries occurred as the result of the conduct and behaviour of other staff, in breach of the union’s duty of care to him.

He says the union required his resignation without regard to his mental condition, and failed to follow its own guidelines or provide him independent advice before doing so.

Mr Delaney claims the AEU also failed to provide him proper representation, to treat him with procedural fairness, and to follow up or investigate his response to the complaints.

He further claims the union failed to properly supervise, assist and train him, or to provide reasonable management, or adhere to the Fair Work Act.

Mr Delaney says his injuries have prevented his return to work, and he has not been retrained or rehabilitated, and has suffered a total loss of earning capacity.

He is seeking unspecified damages for pain and suffering and loss of earning capacity, earnings, and superannuation.

In a letter published in the Teachers and ES Alliance website in 2014, Mr Delaney was highly critical of the union leadership for being too close to the Australian Labor Party.

The letter said that there had been too much reliance on consultants and spin doctors.

“We expect better from our elected leaders,” it said.

The letter said there was a need for a fiercely independent union that “delivers”.

The AEU declined to comment on Mr Delaney’s legal action.

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