SHANE O’Byrne, the public face of the union battle to prevent the disaggregation of Western Power, has been removed from his position as an organiser with the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union.
His position was challenged at the union’s State council meeting on September 10.
Mr O’Byrne backed CEPU secretary Bill Game, whose position came under threat from the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union-backed Recharge group, led by Les McLaughlin at a recent election.
Mr McLaughlin has been appointed a temporary organiser with the removal of Mr O’Byrne.
Mr Game, who has taken over union representation on Western Power and Alinta Gas matters, described the move to remove Mr O’Byrne as foolish because it meant the union lost the knowledge and experience he had acquired in the area.