The secretary of UnionsACT, Alex White, stepped down as leader of the peak union council on Thursday 20 February.
Alex White was elected in November 2014, and for five years has led a revitalised UnionsACT that has focused on championing workers’ rights, improving safety and tackling the wage-theft crisis.
During the past five years, UnionsACT has built a powerful base of over 26,000 supporters and more than 1000 volunteers, as well as 33,000 union members, which has helped the peak union council to campaign for and win an independent Worksafe, stronger wage-theft laws, and Australia’s most pro-worker procurement regime.
The UnionsACT Executive has commenced a process to appoint an acting secretary. Mr White’s resignation takes effect on 23 April 2020.
The following quotes are attributable to Madeline Northam, ACT regional secretary of the CPSU and President of UnionsACT:
“Alex White has led UnionsACT from strength to strength over the last five years. He has worked with affiliates to build union power in Canberra that has seen big wins for workers including the Secure Local Jobs Code and the introduction of the Labour Hire Licencing Bill, which puts dodgy bosses on notice.
“Alex leaves UnionsACT in a great position to campaign for a pro worker government in October.”
The following quotes are attributable to Zach Smith, Assistant Secretary of CFMEU ACT Branch and Assistant Secretary of UnionsACT:
“Alex White has made an immeasurable contribution to the ACT union movement during his time as the secretary of UnionsACT, and will be sorely missed by the thousands of unionists he has represented over the past five years.
“Alex dedicated his time as secretary to protecting the rights of workers with an unflinching conviction, and has as a result bettered the working lives of Canberrans.”.
The following quotes are attributable to Alex White, Secretary of UnionsACT:
“It has been an absolute honour to serve as secretary of UnionsACT, and to help lead the fight for a better future for Canberra’s workers.
“I have been privileged to work with an amazing group of union leaders, officials, activists and volunteers, and my passionate team at UnionsACT who have been instrumental in getting our wins.
“In particular, I am proud of the work we have done to advance the rights of young workers in Canberra through launching the Young Workers Centre, and to support leadership development of future young women leaders in the union movement through our Anna Stewart Project.”
