National Union of Workers NSW cut loose by peak trade union body

A National Union of Workers’ branch has been cut loose by the state’s peak union body over credit card misuse.

Derrick Belan, former NUW secretary, faced allegations of misusing a union credit card. Picture: Crraig Greenhill

The National Union of Workers’ NSW branch has been cut loose by the state’s peak trade union body as the fallout widens from revelations of fraud and credit card misuse at the trade union royal commission.

Unions NSW executive voted tonight to disaffiliate the NUW’s state branch which is suspended until it demonstrates it has improved its governance.

Unions NSW said in a statement it will “continue to offer its support and services to the National Union of Workers membership and give encouragement and assistance to all those officials and members of the NUW who are dedicated to a strong and democratic process.

“Unions NSW will assist the NUW with its corporate governance practices to ensure the correct steps are taken to address all issues.”

The NUW NSW was left in turmoil when its leader of 14 years, Derrick Belan, stood down in October as it emerged hundreds of thousands of dollars was spent on his union credit card over the past decade, with vast spending on personal items.

Mr Belan, who admitted under questioning by counsel assisting the royal commission to using the branch credit card while on holidays and to pay for a tattoo on his leg depicting his parents, blamed his niece, union book keeper Danielle O’Brien for the fraud.

He said he never meant to deprive the union of any funds.

Ms O’Brien admitted to the royal commission that she used union credit cards on personal items and testified that Mr Belan transferred union funds to her to pay his private bills.

Mr Belan admitted there was a governance failure at the union, however in submissions today sought to apportion some blame on his former assistant, Wayne Meaney, his successor as state secretary.

Mr Meaney has pledged to work with the NUW’s national office to improve its governance with the union’s assistant national secretary Paul Richardson installed at the branch.

The status of the branch within the NSW ALP is also under a cloud.

Should state Labor follow Unions NSW and suspend the union, there would be severe implications for NSW ALP general secretary Jamie Clements who relies on the NUW for support.