PM praises Sally McManus and Michele O’Neil as ‘giants’ as they resign from ACTU

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is set for a significant leadership transition as its secretary, Sally McManus, and president, Michele O’Neil, announced their surprise departures after eight years at the helm. The influential pair, who led the ACTU's first all-female leadership team, will step down, marking the end of an era for the 99-year-old organization.

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giants of the labour movement

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lauded both leaders as "giants of the labour movement" and personal friends. He credited their "tireless advocacy and strong leadership" with significantly improving the financial standing of working families. Albanese pointed to recent achievements such as substantial wage increases in undervalued sectors, a record low gender pay gap, and a resurgence in union membership as testaments to their impact.

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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.

McManus and O’Neil played a pivotal role in advancing the current government's workplace agenda. Their efforts contributed to key legislative changes, including the "right to disconnect" law, "same job, same pay" protections, criminalization of wage theft, and improved standards for gig economy workers. The ACTU also recently shifted its focus to targeting Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, signaling a strategic realignment in the union movement's political priorities.

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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.

In a farewell video, McManus and O’Neil emphasized the need for renewal within the movement. While celebrating the growth in union membership and the introduction of new workplace rights, they acknowledged persistent challenges. These include the escalating cost of living, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the concentration of wealth and power among billionaires. O’Neil stated that stepping down now is the "right time" and will benefit both workers and the union movement.

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it was time for renewal