Sally McManus
ACTU Secretary
The Australian Council of Trade Unions is the peak body for 46 affiliated unions who represent about 2 million Australian workers and their families.
Since its creation in 1927, the ACTU has spearheaded some of the most fundamental workplace struggles in Australia’s history. The industrial gains are many: decades of wage increases through the award system and campaigns in the field, safer workplaces, greater equality for women, improvements in working hours, entitlements to paid holidays and better employment conditions, and the establishment of a universal superannuation system.
The ACTU has played a role in all of these achievements. It has contributed to fairness and justice in the community as well – contributing to Australia’s post-war development and immigration program, the social security system, Medicare and education - to name just a few.
In recent years, the ACTU led a broad coalition of unions, churches and community groups to oppose the Howard Government’s unfair and radical industrial relations changes. The ultimate goal of the Rights at Work campaign was to see the Howard Government's so-called "WorkChoices" legislation torn up and fairer laws put in their place.
This objective was achieved with the election of the Labor Government in November 2007 - with a mandate to restore fair IR laws. The new Fair Work Act came into operation in July 2009.
Other recent achievements by unions have included the introduction of a universal Paid Parental Leave scheme for all Australian workers in 2010, and the increase in the superannuation guarantee to 12%, beginning in 2013.
In 2011, the ACTU launched a new focus on insecure work, which has grown to 40% of the Australian workforce over the past two decades and is having a detrimental effect on families and communities.
Unions are active every day campaigning in workplaces and communities around Australia for better job security, pay and conditions, rights at work, healthier and safer workplaces, and a fairer and more equal society.
If you would like to know more about the ACTU please visit actu.org.au
