SIPTU supports council bullying claim against Ind Socialist Cllr

In a new twist in the ongoing dispute between members and officials of Sligo Borough Council, that has resulted in no borough council meeting having been held for four weeks. It has emerged that more than ten staff have lodged formal complaints with management alleging bullying and harassment by a member of the council.

A series of complaints have been made in separate letters to the County Manager, who has forwarded them to the person at the centre of the allegations, Clr. Declan Bree, for his consideration and response.

SIPTU, representing most of the officials who have made the allegations, has also made formal contact with council management expressing grave concern about the treatment of staff at council meetings.

While the letters from officials to the manager list a series of allegations of bullying against Clr. Bree, it's also believed they detail serious health and safety issues concerning the impact the councillor's alleged actions have had on the officials and their families.

Given the strength of the letters and the involvement of a trade union, it's understood the County Manager is steadfastly holding to his position that he cannot instruct his officials to attend council meetings, and unless a resolution can be found in the next 48 hours it's now highly unlikely that the December meeting of the borough council will go ahead on Monday night.

It's understood that what officials require in order to return to meetings is a guarantee that they will be protected from 'bullying, abuse and harassment'.

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However Cllr. Bree has said he stands over everything he has said and will not be withdrawing any comments he has made.

Speaking to The Sligo Champion, Cllr. Declan Bree said he expected the monthly meeting of the council to go ahead next Monday. "it is the view of all the councillors that if the manager and his officials refuse to issue the notices for the meeting that the mayor would step in and issue the relevant notices and agenda," he said.

Clr. Bree added: "Over the past number of weeks the county manager has treated the borough council with contempt. He has treated the elected representatives with contempt and in essence he has treated the people of this community with contempt. He has shown a complete disregard for our democratic institutions.

"I stand over everything I have said on this issue and I will not be withdrawing any comments I made. The recommendation by council officials that the borough council should hand over €1.3 million to a private development company for this bridge can only be described as outrageous.

"We have now reached a stage in Sligo that if councillors are in any way critical or ask the hard question they are accused of offensive or oppressive behaviour.

"The county manager obviously thinks he can now dictate to elected councillors. He certainly won't silence me. He didn't elect me; the people of Sligo did. I am proud to represent them and I will not be dictated to by the county manager or any council official," said Cllr. Bree.

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http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/weve-been-treated-with....html

http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/ten-staff-claim-bullyi....html

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1110/1....html

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89862

http://www.sligoweekender.com/news/story/?trs=mhgbidgbe...=news

http://www.sligoweekender.com/news/story/?trs=mhgbidgbo...=news

http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/walkout-protest-i-did-....html