ACTU bosses step down for post-CFMEU renaissance
Australia’s most powerful union figures have resigned after almost a decade, saying a new generation of leaders is needed amid ongoing turbulence in the movement.
Sally McManus has been secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) since 2017 and Michele O’Neil has been its president since 2018.
The duo announced in a statement on Monday that they would be stepping down from their positions and paving the way for young leaders to “move the movement forward.”
The new leadership has not been decided yet.
“ACTU’s union members will decide on the next leadership team, first with ACTU Executives filling vacancies and then through elections to be held at next year’s Congress, which will coincide with the ACTU’s 100th anniversary,” the statement said.
Ms McManus will complete her term at the end of August, while Ms O’Neil will leave before the end of the year to “assist with the leadership transition”.
While the pair have been praised for their work in securing deals for workers, the ACTU has struggled with difficulties amid allegations of criminal infiltration of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CMFEU).
Ms McManus denied knowledge of any conduct at the Victorian branch in 2024 and also oversaw the ACTU suspending sections of the CFMEU while it resolved itself.
Ms O’Neil told ABC RN on Tuesday it was “imperative” that the sector emerged from the turbulent period under new leadership.
“Workers working in the construction industry in this country are generally hard-working, good people who work in difficult and dangerous jobs, and they deserve a great union.
“They deserve a union that is completely free of any form of violence, corruption or organized crime,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked the pair for their “tireless advocacy” for workers and their support for him personally.
“It is fitting that Sally and Michele announce their resignations at a time when there are significant pay 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,” she said in a statement.
