ACTU new President Sharan Burrow

Date: 27 March 2000

Sharan Burrow will be the next President of the ACTU.

The Secretary of the ACTU, Greg Combet, announced Ms Burrow's election today after nominations closed on Friday. Ms Burrow, who is the Australian Education Union President, was the only nominee and was elected unopposed.

Ms Burrow has been a member of the peak union body's Executive for seven years and is Vice-President of Education International.

"The ACTU and its affiliates welcome Sharan Burrow as President," Mr Combet said. "Personally, I look forward to sharing the leadership of the ACTU with a woman who has a strong background working with unions and with the community.

"Her time as an educator gives her a real understanding of the needs of working people and their families. Sharan's long relationships with overseas union leaders will add to the ACTU's international presence."

Ms Burrow said she was looking forward to speaking out on behalf of working Australians at a time of rapid change in the workplace and in society.

"I am excited and honoured to be part of the new ACTU team," said Ms Burrow. "The change of leadership batons comes at a time when we are implementing significant innovation based around the recent unions@work report.

"Unions have always been at the heart of our community. Families are struggling under the twin pressures of working longer unpaid hours in jobs that may not last beyond next week. There is a better way and we will fight for reasonable hours, reasonable pay and secure jobs."

Sharan Burrow grew up in Warren, western NSW, and is from a fourth-generation Labor family. Her great great grandfather was involved in the shearers' strike of 1891-92 and was one of the first organisers appointed by the Australian Workers' Union. Her great grandfather, grandfather and father were Labor activists.

"My family history has taught me to care deeply about the actions of our politicians and how they impact on the lives of Australian families," she said. "Unions are here to guarantee that working people are treated fairly, and a big part of that is keeping a balance between work and family. I believe the Howard Government has ruined that balance.

"Australians want healthy communities, secure jobs and good living standards. My job as ACTU President will be to defend and advance that way of life."

Ms Burrow will be the second woman to lead Australian unions and will follow in the steps of Jennie George who retired on March 8. She will take up the position on May 1.

Media Contact: Brenda Finlayson 0413 507 260

For further information

Contact:	ACTU
Union:	ACTU
Phone:	0396635655
WWW:	http://www.actu.asn.au

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