Emma Kingdon appointed next president of Australian peak union body

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 19:32 · Archive

Emma Kingdon, a former fast-food and childcare sector organiser, has been elected as the next president of Australia's peak union body, the ACTU.

Emma Kingdon, 38, has been elected as the next president of the ACTU, Australia's peak union body, replacing Michele O'Neil. She will formally begin the role in December and work alongside new ACTU secretary Melissa Donnelly. The appointment marks a generational change for the organisation.

Kingdon started her working life as a fast-food worker at a Rockingham KFC southwest of Perth, where she joined the SDA union. She later worked as a union organiser for the United Workers Union and the Finance Sector Union, roles in which she advocated for workers made redundant at NAB and helped secure pay rises for workers in childcare and aged care sectors. She has spent the past ten years at the ACTU as its national campaigns director and recently served as executive officer of the CFMEU administration.

Kingdon said securing greater rights at work remained her top priority. 'Too many workers are having to look at their budgets and wondering what else they can cut because the system feels rigged when your pay can't keep up with the cost of living,' she said. She added that 'across the country, unions are building strength and winning on the things that matter'.

How it is being reported

• Campaign director tapped to be next ACTU presidentAustralia's peak union body has appointed a former finance and childcare sector organiser to be its new president as part of a generational change.Perth Now · 20 Oct, 19:02
• Campaign director tapped to be next ACTU presidentAustralia's peak union body has appointed a former finance and childcare sector organiser to be its new president as part of a generational change.The West Australian · 20 Oct, 19:02

In this story: Emma Kingdon · Michele O'Neil · Melissa Donnelly · ACTU · SDA · NAB · CFMEU · Perth

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem