Vale Linda White

Statement from the ACTU:

The ACTU mourns the loss of Linda White who passed away yesterday and pays tribute to her contribution to the union movement and to working people.

Prior to being a Federal Senator, Linda was the National Assistant Sectary of the Australian Services Union. Linda was an ACTU Executive member and from 2012- 2022 and a former Vice President. Linda was a Federated Clerks Union member in a legal firm before she became an official for the union which was a predecessor of the ASU.

Linda was a fierce advocate for working people. She led the negotiations for the largest enterprise agreement at Qantas for over a decade and oversaw the national campaign and case for equal pay for community and disability workers in 2009-2012. She represented Ansett workers, was there for them when the company collapsed and lead the long campaign for the to be paid their entitlements.

Linda was a feminist and a unionist who advocated at all levels and in many campaigns for equality and respect at work for women. Linda relished representing her members and eviscerated many a HR representative along the way. Linda in full flight of an argument across the bargaining table was a sight to see and many ASU delegate will remember the strength of her advocacy.

Linda loved her union and was incredibly loyal to those she fought alongside and always ensured clerical workers had a strong voice and seat at the table.

After leaving the ASU, Linda went into Federal Parliament as a Senator for Victoria in 2022 where she continued her advocacy, most recently on the Senate inquiry into the Closing the Loopholes Bill in late 2023 where she gave no quarter to arguments from employers that were lacking in merit.

The ACTU extends its deepest sympathies to her union, her friends and comrades, in particular to those she was close to at the Victorian Private Sector Branch of the ASU.