Melissa Donnelly, a 44-year-old working mother and former national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), has been named as the incoming secretary of Australia's peak trade union body, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). She replaces Sally McManus, who will step down on August 30 after a decade of leading the union movement. Donnelly’s appointment marks a generational shift within the organization, as she becomes one of the youngest individuals to hold the position, surpassing the previous record held by Bill Kelty, who was 35 when he became ACTU secretary in 1983. Donnelly, based in Sydney, has spent the past seven years as the national secretary of the CPSU, where she focused on reversing the outsourcing of government advisory roles to private consultancy firms, securing remote work arrangements, and implementing eight weeks of paid parental leave for both parents. Her tenure at the CPSU has positioned her as a key figure in advocating for workplace flexibility and fair wages. Now, she faces the challenge of addressing the current economic climate, where rising living costs have placed increasing pressure on workers. In an interview, Donnelly emphasized the importance of aligning wage growth with inflation, noting that everyday expenses such as groceries at major retailers like Coles and Woolworths have become increasingly burdensome for families. “People are making difficult choices about whether their kids can attend excursions or when they can afford new school shoes,” she said. However, she remained vague on how she plans to address ongoing issues within the union movement, particularly the administrative restructuring of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) due to corruption scandals. Despite the lack of detailed responses on these matters, Donnelly affirmed the union movement’s stance against corruption and violence. “That’s not going to change under my leadership,” she stated. She acknowledged the need for continued efforts to ensure the construction sector operates free from unethical practices, though she did not specify immediate actions or strategies. The OECD recently highlighted that real wages in Australia have declined by 5 percent since early 2021, indicating that inflation has outpaced salary increases during this period. This context underscores the urgency of Donnelly’s priorities as she assumes her new role on August 31. She is the sole candidate nominated for the position, reflecting broad support across the union landscape. McManus, who will transition out of her role, praised Donnelly’s qualifications and experience. “The average union member is a 44-year-old working mother, and so is Melissa,” she remarked. “With two school-aged children and having led a large union, she understands the pressures working people face.” McManus also noted that Donnelly’s election represents a broader transformation within the ACTU, signaling a move toward fresh perspectives and approaches. As a member of the Labor Party, Donnelly occupies a seat on the party’s national executive, representing the Left faction. While she did not elaborate on the frequency of her interactions with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, she indicated that discussions with the government and its officials have generally been constructive. Donnelly’s focus on workplace flexibility continues to be a central theme in her approach, although she cautioned against the notion of an unrestricted right to work remotely. “What we achieved in the federal public service is not an unlimited right for every worker to work from home whenever they want,” she explained. “There is a clear process and clear rights around how that can be requested, and we must maintain those structures.”
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