The council whistleblower has hit back at the PSA national secretary and union members are upset at what they say is a lack of support for its members.
Allan Halse last year blew the whistle on a culture of bullying and harassment at Hamilton City Council. He was last week sacked from his role at council after an investigation into alleged breaches of council policy and published derogatory statements about council on a website.
PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott last week confirmed that Mr Halse, given he's no longer a council employee, is no longer a union delegate. Other than that she refused to comment on Mr Halse's sacking.
And the organisation appears to continue to distance itself from Mr Halse. A letter circulated to PSA members at council this week, and signed by PSA organiser Daryl Gatenby, said "some of the media coverage about Allan's situation may raise questions for you regarding PSA's role in representing him prior to and after his dismissal".
It went on to say that PSA had offered its assistance but that Mr Halse had arranged his own representation and, as such, the union was limited in what it could say about the case.
Mr Halse said in "my view the comments of the national secretary are misleading the PSA membership with regard to the PSA position relating to support of its elected enterprise delegate convenor by claiming that 'he elected to have his own representation'. This is untrue. Despite repeated requests during the seven weeks from May 8 in which I was facing unfounded allegations of bullying, neither the local PSA organiser or any other PSA official made any attempt to challenge the actions of HCC. It was only after questions were asked that the PSA organiser wrote a letter of protest another two weeks later. It was as a direct consequence of the PSA's failure to intervene on my behalf during this two-month period that I was forced to seek legal representation elsewhere."
Hamilton PSA members have expressed their disgust at what they say is the union's lack of support for the Mr Halse.
Three people Hamilton News spoke to this week - two current Hamilton City Council employees and PSA members, and one a former HCC staffer and PSA member - were angry at the way PSA handled its involvement in Mr Halse's suspension and subsequent dismissal.
They also expressed concern at how PSA may assist them should they need advice regarding an employment issue.
The three spoke to Hamilton News on the condition they would not be named for fear of reprisal.
"I'm quite disgusted," said one. "When I read those comments from Brenda Pilott it makes me wonder why we are paying all this money to the union ... they can't look after their own so why would they be interested in looking after us."
The two current PSA members Hamilton News spoke with said that they would be cancelling their PSA memberships.
"I'll be dumping the union," said one. "They take my money every pay day but I can't rely on them."
The former PSA member said the union wasn't offering the help it should to its members.
"I think it's appalling. People join the PSA thinking they would help us as they have the resources and advice available."
Mr Halse said he was focused on challenging his dismissal and preparation for an Employment Relations Authority hearing.
"In due course, I will be raising the issue of the PSA's ability to provide support for impacted PSA members at HCC directly with the national secretary."