MEMBERS of the scandal-plagued Health Services Union are stumping up more than $1000 a day in legal fees for the head, Michael Williamson, who is still collecting an estimated $500,000 a year in union salary and board-related positions.

Mr Williamson has been suspended on full pay since September when Strike Force Carnarvon was established to investigate allegations of systemic corruption in the union, including that Mr Williamson and Craig Thomson, the former national secretary, received kickbacks from a supplier to the union. Both have denied wrongdoing.

HSU boss ... Michael Williamson. Credit:Ben Rushton

Union sources claim Mr Williamson's legal bill has already reached $150,000.

The legal bill of $200,000 which Mr Thomson, who became an MP in 2007, has so far incurred has been picked up by the NSW Labor Party. Its administrative committee voted unanimously in September to meet Mr Thomson's legal expenses.