Rival dock workers file cases in fight over union's cash

Dock Workers Union official Geoffrey Mareko testifies in a Mombasa court on June 30, 2015. He argued that since the sacking of officials, the union has been rendered ineffective.FILE PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  GALGALO BOCHA

What you need to know:

  • Dock Workers Union sued Mr Mareko for convening the special conference to conduct elections for new leaders and wants the plan stopped.
  • Mr Mareko has also called for a special conference on August 15, 2015 at Bandari Hall so members can elect new leaders.
  • DWU secretary-general Simon Sang, DWU and KPA were listed as first, second and third respondents respectively.

A member of the Dock Workers Union has filed a case seeking to freeze the union’s bank account as the battle for the control of the giant body intensifies.

Mr Geoffrey Mareko also wants the union to hold a meeting where new officials will be elected.

But in a counter suit, Dock Workers Union sued Mr Mareko for convening the special conference to conduct elections for new leaders and wants the plan stopped.

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Mr Leonard Rufus Ochieng, the union’s representative in the suit, stated that the respondent has not been authorised to convene the session and therefore lacks power to do so.

But in his verifying affidavit, Mr Mareko argued that the union lacks legitimate leadership following the sacking of 28 officials by Kenya Ports Authority over a strike to protest against new NHIF rates.

SPECIAL CONFERENCE

Mr Mareko has also called for a special conference on August 15, 2015 at Bandari Hall so members can elect new leaders.

He argued that since the sacking of officials, the union has been rendered ineffective.

DWU secretary general Simon Sang, DWU and KPA were listed as first, second and third respondents respectively.

The claimant stated that the sacked union officials have been barred from entering KPA and can no longer represent the workers or negotiate on their behalf. “It is obvious the leadership has lost legitimacy,” he stated.

OFFICIALS SACKED

Mr Mareko said all officials were sacked except the secretary general Simon Sang whom he argued cannot transact union’s activities without the executive committee and the secretariat.

But the union insisted that the petitioner had no powers to call meetings.

“The respondent is an ordinary member of the claimants’ union and has no any mandate whatsoever in law or fact to act on behalf of the members of the claimant’s union,” added Ochieng.

Mr Ochieng applied to the court to issue an injunction order restraining Mr Mareko from participating in such a meeting.

Mr Justice Onesmus Makau declined to grant any orders and the case will be heard today.

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