OPSEU, one of the province’s largest unions, is suing three former leaders — including long-time president Warren “Smokey” Thomas — for millions of dollars, alleging they withdrew $670,000 in cash from a strike fund without explanation, received “significant compensation” atop their salaries and had union-purchased vehicles transferred to themselves and their families.
Thomas, Almeida and Gabay were not immediately available for comment. The three were served the statement of claim Monday, prior to OPSEU’s email to members. Thomas, who worked as a registered practical nurse, was president of the 180,000 member union for 15 years, and retired last year. The union’s executive board ordered a forensic audit in December 2021, but “in or around February 2022, unbeknownst to the executive board at the time and in breach of their duties to the union, some or all of the defendants took steps to try to delay the forensic audit until after the upcoming election scheduled for April 2022, including obtaining advice on how to stall or delay the request for proposals process,” the statement of claim states.
“These compensation payments were not known to or authorized by the executive board at the time,” the statement of claim says, adding that “Gabay, who was charged with oversight of payroll and compensation, breached his employment duties to OPSEU/SEFPO by conspiring or colluding with Thomas and Almeida, and/or permitting these unauthorized payments to be made to them.”
They include four vehicles transferred to Thomas’ wife, Valerie, and two to his son Danny, the statement of claim says.
Unions are so corrupt
Union leaders…
Why are these people not being criminally charged. The fraud s shocking.
All real taxpayers dollars.
But unions know all and we are supposed to listen to them. Sickening
When I unlawfully transferred money from Mommy's purse, I got a spanking.
Of course..must be NDP members