By Noel Murphy
A UNION 1800-hotline fishing for complaints about Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons has been labelled a stunt.
The Australian Services Union free call hotline follows allegations of bullying levelled against South Barwon State Labor candidate, and Geelong city councillor, Andy Richards.
It also follows accusations of bullying against another Labor candidate, Frank Constas, in the prize seat of Frankston.
With South Barwon a swinging seat presently held by the Liberals’ Andrew Katos, Cr Richards’ profile has been raised in recent council clashes with Cr Lyons, notably over the Corio Bay Christmas tree –which the ASU slammed today, while saying it had been “forced” to set up the hotline.
Cr Lyons rejected the hotline out of hand, with the city issuing a brief statement only: “The mayor said it was just a stunt and that the union would be better off contributing positively to Geelong rather than trying to tear it down.”
ASU assistant secretary Richard Duffy said the union had been “inundated with calls from members, non-members and residents” with “serious concerns” about the leadership of Cr Lyons.
“This isn’t just a union issue for workers worried about their jobs,” he said.
“This has now festered into a long list of complaints from community groups and angry residents who have contacted the union in support of our concerns regarding Cr Lyons’ conduct as mayor.”
Mr Duffy did not name any people and did not respond to an Independent request for a complainant to come forward.
The Richards bullying allegations saw reports City acting CEO Dean Frost had issued a warning following claims of intimidating and aggressive behaviour toward staff.
Kindergarten committee president Rebecca Dobie was reportedly left in tears after a heated phone call with Cr Richards recently.
The Independent understands Cr Richards is not the only sitting councillor to have been cautioned about their behaviour.
Cr Richards, who holds strong ties to the union movement, refused to comment when asked by the Independent for comment.
