New head takes on TCFUA

NATIONAL: The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA)'s Victorian state secretary Michele O’Neil has been appointed to the position of national secretary, following the resignation of Tony Woolgar. O’Neil is to hold both the TCFUA national secretary and Victorian state secretary positions, while Woolgar will continue to work for the union until the end of this year.

Announcing the change over on September 1, O’Neil paid tribute to Woolgar, describing him as "a passionate advocate of workers in the TCF industry."

"He has always been prepared to speak up without fear on behalf of members and our industry, regardless of who has been in power,” she said.

“It’s a great honour for me to hold this position and I look forward to ensuring that TCF workers are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

The announcement comes at an important time for the union and industry as the Federal Government prepares its response to Professor Roy Green's TCF Review.

“I am greatly looking forward to making sure that Kevin Rudd and his Government deliver both a smart TCF Industry policy and urgently needed industrial relations reforms for the workers I represent,” O’Neil said.