Our Sharan re-elected as global unions boss


The ETU congratulates former ACTU President, Sharan Burrow, on being 
re-elected as General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) for another four year term
Sharan was elected President of the ACTU from 2000 to 2010 after a career as a teacher and after serving in various positions in the Australian Education Union.

Sharan was first elected General Secretary at the ITUC in 2010 and has led the international trade union movement through a period of immense change in the structure of the global economy.

During her time as President she has been a tireless advocate for the expansion of the rights of workers across the globe, continuing the work she began in Australia.

The ITUC represents 207 million workers in 163 countries and territories with 331 national affiliates.

Ms Burrow was re-elected at the ITUC World Congress in Copenhagen in December 2018. Two candidates, Susanna Camusso and Sharan Burrow, were nominated for the position of General Secretary and Burrow was elected by a close margin.
While Susanna Camusso was considered a more activism-focussed alternative, Sharan Burrow was viewed as the stronger candidate when it comes to international diplomacy.

“We wanted a voice that represents the world’s workers at G20, climate summits and other major gatherings,” said Oscar Ernerot of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation.

Unions in several other countries, including the USA, Britain, Turkey, Kenya, Egypt and the Netherlands also backed Burrow to continue in the role.

“We leave the Congress united to build workers’ power to change the rules. The international union movement stands for peace, democracy and rights for working people. We must defeat and transform the failed economic model of today. We must defend workers’ and other human rights and demand a new social contract. As the world shifts, with technological and climate change and as people move, because of desperation or from choice, we must have a Just Transition. And equality for all people is at the centre of our mandate,” said Sharan Burrow.