Statement from ACTU President Michele O’Neil:
The Australian Trade Union movement congratulates Sharan Burrow for receiving the Companion of the Order of Australia.
Sharan has spent her entire working life in the service of others from being a teacher in a NSW country school to leader of her own union, ACTU President and then the leader of the Global Trade Union movement as ITUC General Secretary.
She has always fought for fairness and justice for working people and for a more equal world.
Sharan has stood up for and negotiated on behalf of working people and taken to account multinational CEOs and heads of State. She is someone who truly represents the best of Australia.
The recognition of those achievements which is represented by this award is well deserved and the Australian Trade Union movement is proud that our country and our movement has produced such a great leader.
