'Generational change': Melissa Donnelly named as new ACTU boss
The 44-year-old inherits the trade union movement while it is enjoying a golden era of political influence, but also faces a long-term decline in membership and a fight for the rights of workers in the AI boom.
Melissa Donnelly is set to become the new leader of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in August, following the resignations of Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil. Donnelly, a public sector union boss, plans to tackle the cost of living and AI's impact on jobs as her primary concerns. The ACTU faces a decline in membership, with only 3.9% of members aged 15-19 and 7% aged 20-24.
Donnelly, a mother of two, emphasizes the need to attract younger workers and adapt to the challenges posed by AI. Despite recent setbacks, such as the CFMEU's administration and a potential royal commission into the state's Big Build program, unions have benefited from the federal Labor government's policies, including Same Job Same Pay and the Right to Disconnect.
Donnelly, who previously worked at the McKell Institute and led the Community and Public Sector Union, believes that continued real wage growth and improved working conditions are crucial for maintaining relevance and attracting new members.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
