Punch thrown in heated debate

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 8

Punch thrown in heated debate

PA Auckland Heated debate during a Clerical Union stop-work meeting in Auckland yesterday led to a male employee of the union allegedly punching a woman member. The meeting was one of several that had been called in various centres to air allegations of union mismanagement. The secretary of the Northern Clerical Union, Mr Syd Jackson, said last evening that he did not see the incident, but confirmed what other members had said. The woman was allegedly hit on the nose, with one report suggesting that it might have been broken. Mr Jackson said he be-

lieved that a complaint had been made to the police. “I understand that it was one of our staff and that he had retaliated after being kicked,” he said. “The meeting got pretty heated at times, with strong views being expressed by both sides.” Six members of the union management committee had resigned, claiming that misappropriation of funds at the Rotorua office had not been adequately investigated. The union had called a round of meetings this week to discuss the allegations. Union officials are seeking votes of confidence in themselves.