The ACTU is pleased to announce that Mr Scott Connolly was unanimously elected as the new Assistant Secretary by the ACTU Executive today.

Mr Connolly joins the ACTU following a lifetime of commitment to the Trade Union Movement including the last 16 years at the Transport Workers Union.

Scott’s first job like that of many young Australians was at age 14 and a half at Woolies working in the trolley bay, as a dock hand and on the register – and it was in this job that he first signed up as a union member with the SDA and stood up to represent his mates as a workplace delegate.

Scott’s commitment to the movement continued and grew over 16 years across three State and Territory branches of the TWU where he was instrumental in strengthening and increasing protections for workers.

Of particular note was his work to improve workplace safety including legal changes to ensure a truck is considered a workplace and protection from violence for bus drivers.

During his time as the lead national aviation official for the TWU Scott was involved in increasing parental leave entitlements for workers at Virgin. He was also involved in the world leading introduction of domestic violence leave.

Mr Connolly will fill the casual vacancy created by the departure of former Assistant Secretary Tim Lyons. Elections for all officials will be held at the upcoming ACTU Congress in May.