By NOEL MURPHY
MICK Van Beek, fired then reinstated in City Hall’s 2009 steak sandwich controversy, has been sacked again – this time for allegedly threatening a fellow council worker at Drysdale Depot.
City Hall chief Stephen Griffin said Mr Van Beek’s was dismissed “only after a full independent investigation”.
“Council … cannot tolerate any behaviour by employees (that) poses a risk to their safety and well-being, including threats in the workplace,” Mr Griffen said.
Australian Services Union (ASU) demanded Mr Van Beek’s reinstatement, arguing he was unfairly sacked last Friday despite “a large amount of information” countering the allegation he threatened a fellow worker over the phone in February.
“The supposed victim did not even put in a complaint against Mick,” ASU branch secretary Brian Parkinson said.
“The sacking has come about on the back of council going against its own rules regarding their code of conduct.”
Mr Van Beek and co-worker Peter Anderson were sacked in 2009 after accepting steak sandwiches for filling two potholes at Leopold Sportsman’s Club without approval from their superiors.
The men argued they acted at the request of a club manager anxious about the safety threat to patrons.
They used leftover hot-mix was bound for the tip.
The ASU won a high-profile campaign to have the pair reinstated.
This week’s union demand followed meetings across Geelong on Wednesday.
“The council have decided to sack Mick despite many gaps and shortcomings in management’s reasoning and a large amount of information put to council that has clearly refuted allegations against our member,” Mr Parkinson said.
“Mick is well-liked and respected by his work colleagues, and ASU members at the council have indicated that they are willing to commence industrial action if the council does not reinstate Mick.”
The Independent was unable to contact Mr Van Beek for comment.
Mr Griffin said he had a responsibility to investigate workplace issues and ensure employees complied with “the obligations of our code of conduct and take appropriate action when this does not occur”.
“We expect our employees to adhere to our values and standards of behaviour and we must have faith and trust that they obey the law,’’ he said.
