Head of RTBU tram division accused of misconduct by own union and asked to resign
A union official responsible for the state’s tram workers has been sensationally asked to resign over allegations of homophobic comments and harassment.
A union official responsible for the state’s tram workers has been sensationally asked to resign by the RTBU over allegations of homophobic comments and harassment.
Tarik Koc, head of the RTBU’s tram division, is facing serious internal charges of inappropriate behaviour but cannot be removed from the job because he is an elected official.
An independent review of his actions, seen by the Herald Sun, details allegations that he repeatedly upset an employee by suggesting he was gay.
He is also accused of bullying, calling another male employee “sweet lips” and of using racial terms such as “wog” and “blackfella”.
When asked to respond to allegations by the lawyer overseeing the investigation, it is understood Mr Koc replied by questioning the motivations of the review and sending a series of his own questions in response.
A meeting of the RTBU’s branch executive on Wednesday discussed the review and passed a motion calling for Mr Koc’s resignation.
In a letter released to members, the union spelled out allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and misconduct .
The Herald Sun is not suggesting the accusations against Mr Koc are true, only that they have been alleged.
Mr Koc said the allegations he had engaged in serious misconduct were “completely untrue”.
“The allegations are simply a continuation of a relentless campaign waged by my political opponents to hound me from office,” he said.
“Those calling on me to resign are those who I defeated in the election and their supporters.
“I am not going anywhere. I am going to do the job I was elected to do by our members.”
In a separate statement released to members, Mr Koc and other leaders within the tram division denied the allegations and said they were “ridiculous:”
The letter also said it was “deliberately misleading” to suggest Mr Koc had failed to deny the allegations.
“He was waiting for answers to his questions,” it reads.
“Tarik has not engaged in serious misconduct.”
RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said she had acted quickly once the accusations were raised.
She said it was unprecedented for the branch executive to call for a resignation of an elected official.
“We condemn such behaviour in all its forms,” Ms Grigorovitch said.
“As unionists we fight against such blatant misconduct and will never turn a blind eye to this type of behaviour.
“For Tarik to now claim that these accusations are false is disgusting.”
