The country’s largest union, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) today welcomed the election of Sally McManus as Secretary of the ACTU – the first time a woman has held the position in the peak union body.
ANMF Federal Secretary Lee Thomas said it was an historic milestone that the ACTU was now being led by two women in Ms McManus and its President Ged Kearney.
“At a time when women’s workplace rights continue to come under attack, it’s befitting that Sally and Ged will be standing-up for women and leading the ACTU’s fight against the Turnbull Government,” Ms Thomas said.
“Sally was instrumental during the last election, directing the campaign to save Medicare and given that the majority of our members are women, we look forward to working with Sally her in new role.
“Nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing (AIN) face an uncertain future, vulnerable to the loss of their penalty rates, cuts to paid parental leave and suffering ongoing wage and superannuation inequities, particularly those in the poorly-paid aged care sector.
“In her long-career in the union movement, Sally has proven to be a strategic leader and highly-effective campaigner and this will assist in bolstering the ANMF’s own public campaigns on behalf of our members and our fight to ensure a fair and equitable healthcare system for all Australians.”
