Union boss Dean Mighell in court

[pies4ever]

Union boss Dean Mighell in court
March 02, 2008

FIREBRAND unionist Dean Mighell has given evidence in a civil dispute over a man who killed himself after he lost his union job.

The wife of former union recruiter Anthony Cecere is suing the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of Australia for causing his death.

Mr Cecere committed suicide on March 12, 2005 after he was sacked by the union.

Outspoken Victorian unionist Mr Mighell was secretary of the union at the time and last week appeared before Melbourne County Court to defend the union.

Kevin Rudd, when Opposition leader, ordered Mr Mighell to quit the Labor Party six months ago after he was taped speaking obscenely about industrial relations.

Lyn Cecere wants compensation for the death, claiming her husband was overworked and underpaid.

A suicide note said Mr Cecere was upset by his working life.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23304520-2862,00.html

[sherrife]

I find it disgusting that that woman is suing the union.

Her husband (obviously a dedicated union supporter) would be horrified that his comrades' funds that are collected in order to be used for improving workers' conditions will be squandered on paying for a law suit and (possibly) compensation.

[stui magpie]

I met Tony a few times. Seemed like quite a nice bloke.

He was working for a different branch of the CEPU as a recruiter when I came accross him, and it was one of them who told me that he'd committed suicide. They'd had to let him go because they couldn't afford to keep him on, plain and simple.

Bloody pity, but lets not create an idealistic double standard here Omar. Unions are also employers. If the employer contributed to his death, they should be held accountable no matter where they get their funds from.

People have taken a union to court for unfair dismissal before, I'm even aware of one instance where the union industrial officers took industrial action against their employer, the union, for better pay and conditions.

[Proud Pies]

[stui magpie]

It's one of those funny "name only" mergers I think PP.

Mighel is ETU, the CEPU you would have come across in your past jobs is the Communications division.

http://www.cepu.asn.au/

There may be some official linking but they are actually operationally ver, very separate.

Even the Communications division maintains it's national and state branch structure and has 2 separate branches within the division. They have merged these branches in some of the smaller states out of economic necessity.

Compared to the CPSU (and yes, you're right it was them ) the CEPU have an incredibly inefficient operation.

[Proud Pies]

I know the CEPU quite well Stui.

Len Cooper and all that lol Strange mob them.


In regards to the CPSU hard working Industrial Officers, I always used to say to them.........and who looks after you! Nobody did.

CPSU is different to most other unions as the IO's have to be members of the CPSU, but with most other unions, all the IOs have to be members of the Australian Services Union, so the ASU go in to bat for them.

That's why the CPSU took action when they did. And so should they have. From my associations with the CPSU, i know exactly how hard some of these people work, for no over time, no pay. They did it because they care, they care for those that can't fight for themselves.

[stui magpie]

LOL, Lenny and Val. I knew them very well in a professional sense. In fact Tony Cecere was working for Len when I met him. Len had to let him go as I said, but he must have got another job with the ETU area if Mighel is having to take the stand. Len and Val were the ones who told me about his suicide. I asked them one time where the grey headed bloke was who they had had handing out their leaflets. That wasn't the response I was expecting.

Yes the CPSU is a bit different. IMO, their structural model should be the template for other unions as it's much more efficient.

And I wasn't criticing the IO's for taking industrial action (although I did find it very funny when Johnny Jameson told me about it and the more senior bloke there shooshed him and changed the subject quickly ) but pointing out to Omar that these things happen. idealism is fine but you need to temper it with practicality.

[Proud Pies]

[stui magpie]

No, it wasn't Trevor, it was the bloke who replaced him when he went to APESMA, can't remember his name. (Is trevor still around? I heard a rumour he died shortly after going to APESMA)

JJ was a funny bloke. One time he came into a meeting where we were looking to sack a guy who had about 4 gig of porn on his work computer. JJ started off giving me the usual sermon, I took him through the evidence in detail, he was silent for about a minute, then asked "is it OK if he collects some personal belongings before we leave"

[Proud Pies]

[crannypete]

[sherrife]

I agree with what Stui and cranny have said, BUT the union is a unique employer, and that needs to be considered here.

So when this woman sues the union, she's taking money directly from the struggle for workers' rights and conditions. These are things which her husband fought to uphold. Furthermore, if her husband did indeed commit suicide because he was fired, then he clearly had a passion for the job.

I don't believe her husband would want this to happen at all, and even more broadly; I don't believe that taking money from the pockets of an organisation struggling for the rights of thousands of people is a good or progressive thing to do.

[member34258]

I cannot believe anyone would top themselves just for losing their job.
Mentally unbalanced to start with.

[crannypete]

or maybe brother he was just made very distort at losing the job he loved and embarrassed in his eyes that his family would see that he failed and he didunt know what else to do

for a dude who spends so much time on another clubs forum kissing bums and understanding theyre side of the story when they bag collingwood but you dont see this bloke or his wifes side when it is about something important

you are not cool

[member34258]

Poor cranny.
Have people stopped looking at you?
Oh, and for christs sake get yourself a spellcheck, you post like a 4 year old.
Not cool!!