The ACTUs leadership is critical because it represents virtually all Australian unions, whereas only about half the unions are affiliated to the ALP itself.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) represents 46 affiliate unions, which have a combined membership of 1.8 million workers. It also uses social media to reach an average of 805,000 people by Facebook per week and has an email list of 173,000.
Trade unions formed the Labor Party in the 1890s, and many (but not the ACTU) are affiliated with the party. These unions influence policy through representation in party structures. Former union officials account for about 45% of federal parliamentary caucus members.
Union membership has declined from a 1950s peak of 60% to 15% of all Australian workers. But the ACTU is still Australias largest representative civic institution.
The ACTU is a key player in support of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in the 2016 federal election.
ALP and union policies tend to converge on industrial relations and welfare issues, including health and education.
The ACTUs main election campaign focus is to target 28 marginal Coalition seats, including 11 in NSW and six in Queensland: the key battleground states.
