PM salutes 'giants of the labour movement'
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has described Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil as personal friends and
giants of the labour movementafter the pair announced they are stepping down from their roles at the Australian Council of Trade Unions. In his statement, Albanese said working families are in a stronger financial position today than they would otherwise be because of the tireless advocacy and strong leadership of the two union leaders.
He said McManus and O’Neil secured incredible successes for working people in their eight years together leading Australia’s union movement, and noted that they were the first all-female leadership team in the ACTU’s 99-year history. Albanese said it was fitting that they were announcing their departures at a time when there had been significant wage increases in critical and long-undervalued sectors, the gender pay gap was at a record low and union membership was growing for the first time in decades.
“Working families are in a stronger financial position today than they would otherwise be because of the tireless advocacy and strong leadership of Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil.
Sally and Michele secured incredible successes for working people in their eight years together leading Australia’s union movement – the first all-female leadership team in the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ 99-year history.
It is fitting that Sally and Michele announce they’re stepping down from their respective positions at a time when there have been significant wage increases in critical and long-undervalued sectors, the gender pay gap is at a record low and union membership is growing for the first time in decades.”
ACTU leaders step down after eight years at the top
The leadership of the trade union movement is set for a major shakeup after the secretary and president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions announced their surprise departures. The ACTU’s secretary, Sally McManus, and president, Michele O’Neil, revealed on Monday night they would be stepping down after eight years together.
The pair led the ACTU as the first all-female leadership team in its 99-year history and have played a major role in shaping the Albanese government’s workplace agenda. They successfully campaigned for the right to disconnect law, same job, same pay protections, wage theft criminalisation and ensuring minimum pay, insurance and safety standards for gig economy workers.
The ACTU recently began targeting in a clear sign the union movement now considers One Nation - rather than the Coalition - the biggest political threat to Labor and economic risk for working people.
McManus will depart next month while O’Neil will help the new secretary settle in before leaving before the end of the year.
In a farewell video posted to social media on Monday night, the pair said it was time for renewal.
“Union membership is growing, and workers have over 47 new workplace rights. But of course, there are still big challenges with cost-of-living pressures, AI, and billionaires who have too much wealth and power.”
What else is unfolding in the live blog?
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. Anthony Albanese has described Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil as “giants of the labour movement” after the surprise announcement that they will stepping down from their roles as secretary and president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions after eight years. More coming.
Hearings designed to test the Australian Taxation Office’s widespread use of private call centres starts today amid claims outsource workers are on the same phone lines. More details shortly.
And the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, – we’ll be bringing you updates on that as things unfold.
I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action.
Key Facts
- Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil announced on Monday night they would step down from the ACTU after eight years.
- They were the first all-female leadership team in the ACTU’s 99-year history.
- Albanese said working families are in a stronger financial position because of their leadership.
- The pair helped secure the right to disconnect law, same job, same pay protections, wage theft criminalisation and gig economy minimum standards.
- McManus will depart next month and O’Neil will leave before the end of the year after helping the new secretary settle in.
