Tony Sheldon is National Secretary of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) in Australia. As TWU National Secretary, Tony led the widely praised TWU ‘Safe Rates’ campaign where his negotiation skills and leadership of the TWU’s campaign were instrumental in garnering community and political support for the Road Safety Remuneration Act 2012, landmark legislation aimed at improving safety and conditions in the road transport industry. Under Tony’s leadership, the TWU has led campaigns for the future of the Australian aviation industry.

In 2014 Tony was elected Chairperson of the International Transport Workers’ Federation Road Transport Sector.  In this role Tony continues his pursuit if building a safe and fair transport industry where workers have and use their collective power guided by clear, strong principles.

Tony has completed postgraduate studies in Industrial Law at the University of NSW and is a graduate of the Harvard University Trade Union program. He worked as a cleaner, bartender and garbage collector, and his professional union activity began in 1988. He joined the TWU in the 1990s. He led the NSW Branch of the TWU from 1999 to 2008 and has been TWU National Secretary since 2006.

In addition to his membership of the NSW Administrative Committee, Tony serves as Vice-President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, a Board member with TWU Super and is a former Senior Vice President of the Australian Labor Party.