Sharan Burrow
Sharan Burrow was first elected President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in May 2000, the second woman to hold the position. She was elected to a fourth term in June in 2009.
In December 2004, she became the first woman to be elected President of the world union body, the International Confederation of Free Trade Union, which represents 148 million workers in 231 affiliated organisations across 150 countries. She is also a member of the governing body of the International Labour Organisation.
Sharan grew up in western NSW in a strong union family – her great, great grandfather took part in the shearers’ strike of 1891-2 and was one of the first organisers for the Australian Workers’ Union.
After teaching in high schools in regional NSW, Sharan became President of the Australian Education Union in 1992.
Sharan is also a founding member of the Southern Cross Climate Coalition, formed in 2008 by the ACTU, Australian Conservation Foundation, The Climate Institute and the Australian Council of Social Service to respond to the vast challenges of climate change in Australia.
Articles by Sharan Burrow
New paid maternity leave is not perfect, but it’s a step
As I prepare to pack my bags for the somewhat daunting task of representing almost 200 million workers around the…... Read more
Libs still hope the WorkChoices zombie can rise
While you are dining out or at the shops over the summer holidays, spare a few minutes to think about…... Read more
Why unions will remain the voice of workers in Labor
There’s been a lot of talk recently about so-called “green shoots” springing up in our ravaged economy. Some commentators have…... Read more
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
RT @JamieTravers: I'm in Europe and don't care for Eurovision, why is my twitter feed filled with Aussies recounting the bloody thing!?
Ukraine song pinches chord progression from The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony. Fo real #sbseurovision
RT @GerardDaffy: @antsharwood all the talk over there is the grannies will win.they entered to get a church built,feelgood story
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
Abbott’s crass logic: trash the Parliament in order save it
An email was sent to almost every politician in Australia this week saying that someone should cut off…
Our special forces don’t always need special treatment
We admire them, but we’re not entirely sure why. We allow them to operate in the shadows; we rarely…
A good holiday is about unrest, not rest
Like a fat full-stop, it lay in my hand. A small orange – not exactly fresh, but purchased anyway…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
Michael S says:
"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone
Change Up! says:
I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more
