The new president of the National Union Of Government And Federated Workers (NUGFW), Christopher Streete, says one of his first acts will be to conduct a forensic audit into the union's finances.
Streete, who replaced James Lambert earlier this week, says he plans to ensure more financial accountability than the previous administration practised.
“We were very concerned about the activities of the former president and the former administration,” the NUGFW president revealed.
“He [Lambert] considered a meeting of the national executive committee as old talk. Several of us could not tolerate and go along with that kind of action,” Street said, “and therefore, we decided there was no choice but to contest and remove that leadership.”
Streete says by ensuring transparency, people are more likely to have faith in the union.
He says the NUGFW hopes to lead the way in changing long-held negative perceptions about unions.
The forensic audit, he says, is an example of how it intends to do so.
“I'm of the view that this action is one that will cause folks to realise that ‘Hey, these people are serious’,” Street noted, “and therefore, they may want to gravitate towards joining the organization.”
A guest on today’s edition of CNC3’s The Morning Brew, Streete says another key component of his tenure is to ensure that the union looks after the social, economic and political well-being of its members.
Streete replaced James Lambert as the union's president following a recent election.
Lambert had served in the role for 16 years.
The new executive was sworn in on October 30, 2024.
