STATEMENT FROM VICTORIAN TRADES HALL COUNCIL SECRETARY LUKE HILAKARI

Victorian unions congratulate Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil. Serving as the second longest Secretary and President partnership leading the Australian Council of Trade Unions, they have fundamentally reshaped the laws for working people.

When Sally and Michele were elected to their positions in 2017 and 2018 respectively, Australian unions were at a crossroads - staring down the barrel of a multi-generational Coalition Federal Government.

Under their stewardship, we have seen an unprecedented turnaround.

We turfed Scott Morrison out of office, and we defended our hard-won gains from Peter Dutton.

Australian unions have won 47 new rights at work that benefit every single worker. That includes the Right to Disconnect, Same Job Same Pay, and better protections for gig economy workers.

Work is now safer and fairer, and these changes will be felt for generations. And the union movement is growing.

Sally and Michele have proven that when workers stand together, we can change the country for the better, and it is up to the rest of us to continue to build on their achievements to improve the lives of working people.

Full Media Release: Full Statement PDF

Media contact: Amy Fitzgerald | [email protected]