A stood-down education union secretary who is seeking election as branch president is facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment.
Former Australian Education Union ACT branch secretary Glenn Fowler was stood down with pay in March after seven staff members brought complaints against him to the current branch president, Angela Burroughs.
A number of complainants who spoke to The Canberra Times said their voices had been silenced during the lengthy investigation process under the branch rules which has so far taken nine months without a resolution.
Mr Fowler has strongly denied all allegations against him.
"This was the hardest thing we have ever had to do and it has taken an unbearable personal toll," the complainants said in a statement.
"Bringing a complaint against the most powerful man in our union meant risking our livelihoods and our reputations. All we wanted to do was go to work and do our jobs."
The Canberra Times is not aware of the exact nature of the alleged behaviour however it was relating to sexual harassment in the workplace.
When Mr Fowler was asked if the allegations brought against him related to sexual harassment, he said: "I can't talk about the details of that matter because there's a possibility they will end up in court."
Mr Fowler said it was not correct that seven people have made allegations against him.
"A letter was signed by seven people but that letter has not been provided to me and it has now been eight months," he said.
"There is a confidential process that is presently being conducted, which I am respecting. The allegations that have been made against [me] are contested.
"I have raised serious concerns about the process that has been followed. In the course of doing so, I have provided my version events and it differs in material respects from others."
Ms Burroughs said she couldn't comment on whether the complaints brought to her were related to sexual harassment.
"They presented some complaints jointly, and then individually every one of those seven [staff members] spent time outlining their specific complaints," she said.
The complainants said they detailed multiple occurrences of sexual harassment that were observed or experienced by each complainant.
Ms Burroughs said she took action by asking Mr Fowler to stand down on full pay and seeking authority from the branch executive to commence an independent investigation into the complaint.
Ms Burroughs said a senior lawyer ran the investigation and each staff member of the office was given the opportunity to be interviewed.
She said more than 14 people were interviewed for the investigation and she had received a report into the investigation in July.
The Canberra Times has viewed minutes from a branch executive meeting which stated the investigator's report concluded that there was a sustainable basis for a case of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Based on this report, Ms Burroughs took action in accordance with the union's branch rules and charges of misconduct were laid against Mr Fowler in August.
"I acknowledge that Mr Fowler denies the allegations," Ms Burroughs said.
"This process is ongoing. It is being progressed in accordance with the branch rules.
"Due process is being followed and everyone has a right to a fair hearing."
The extended investigation process has led to the unusual situation where an individual who has been stood down is allowed to run for branch president.
Voting has commenced in the election of the next branch president, which is being contested by Mr Fowler and Ms Burroughs.
The complainants claimed Mr Fowler had stalled the union rules process in order to seek election as president, an allegation Mr Fowler rejected.
"We want the process against [Mr Fowler] finalised so we can get on with our jobs, move on with our lives and start to heal," they said.
"If he wins the election, we face the prospect of having to go in to work every day with the man who has caused us [to complain]."
Mr Fowler said it was the branch that had delayed the process.
In early December, Mr Fowler wrote to members of the AEU ACT branch claiming that Ms Burroughs was seeking to have him expelled from the union.
"This is based on allegations that I strongly deny," Mr Fowler wrote.
"I believe that the unreasonable delays and unjust internal processes in this matter have done damage to our great union."
Ms Burroughs said a rules committee was convened after charges were laid in August.
The rules committee must collect evidence and present a report with recommendations to the branch executive.
"In my view, this process should not still be ongoing, but it is, given that the charges were laid in August. And the delays to that process have definitely not been from the AEU.
"It would be fair to say that they have been by the defendant and, if I can add some more, those delays are about trying to stop the process. So for more than two and a half months, we were tied up in legal arguments about whether or not the process could proceed in accordance with the branch rules."
Ms Burroughs said Mr Fowler's decision to contest the election before this matter had been resolved and his public comments about the matter to members were disappointing. Members would have to vote without knowing the outcome of the charges which, if proven, would affect Mr Fowler's suitability for office.
"The community expects the highest standards from its leaders, whether they are in politics, the arts, sport, or the union movement," she said.
"Our members look to its union to advocate for safe and supportive workplaces. Members expect their union leaders to be a role model for members and staff of the branch."
Mr Fowler said he was the most suitable candidate for the role of branch president.
"I am a person of the highest integrity," he said.
"I think our members believe in natural justice. And I think that they understand that allegations are never enough. Anybody can make an allegation but it's what's determined at the end of that process that's important."
Ms Burroughs is campaigning to be elected president with the endorsement of branch secretary Patrick Judge, vice presidents Roger Amey, Sarah Warren and Karen Noble and AEU national principals' committee member Annamaria Zuffo.
"I am asking for your solidarity and your vote so that we can continue our fight for the salary, resources and recognition you deserve," she wrote in a letter to members.
Do you know more? Contact sarah.lansdown@canberratimes.com.au
