Member Connect - helping you organise new members
Working people rarely join unions for the discount services. People join unions because unions deliver better pay, improved living standards and employment security through collective action and strength in the workplace.
However, the reality is often that membership services can provide organisers with a valuable tool when encouraging potential members to sign up.
Chris Walton, Assistant ACTU Secretary comments:
"Membership services can be the difference between someone joining on the spot and taking the form away to think about it. Union organisers can confidently say to workers: union membership pays, it does not cost."
Whether it is a discount cinema ticket, a low interest rate home loan or an affordable computer, Member Connect offers a range of products and services that may act as a trigger for a potential member to join. Because union members receive preferential treatment and will save money, these services should be incorporated into an organising strategy.
Member Connect - helping you organise existing members
As you know, organising new members is only half the battle. The other half of the battle is membership retention.
Part of your organising strategy to organise existing members, should include the provision and promotion of member services.
While organising around workplace issues is the main game for organisers, such issues tend to ebb and flow. Member services, on the other hand, are a constant benefit of union membership.
Display and distribute posters and brochures in the workplace. They act as a constant reminder that union membership pays.
How to use Member Connect
Posters and Brochures:
Are available from Member Connect free of cost*. These brochures can be distributed in workplaces, in new member kits and during recruitment drives. We can provide you and your union with promotional material about:
- Member Connect (detailing all endorsed services)
- Members Equity Bank
- SMI Managed investments
- Financial Advisers
- Virtual Communities
- Union Shopper
- Discount New Cars
- Your Rights at Work Merchandise
*delivery is charged for large orders of Union Shopper brochures
Publications
Member Connect can assist unions' with the writing and design of member services material for publication and we have many pre-written articles and advertisements available for use.
Information Sessions
The Member Connect endorsed Financial Advisers Network has representatives in every state and territory. Our advisers are available to speak to you and your members on subjects like superannuation, redundancy, budgeting, salary-packaging and so on. This is a free service for unions and union members.
Organiser Training
If you think your branch could do with an update about member services and where they fit into organising, an ACTU Member Connect representative can run a session for union staff.
Regular Email Updates
Are you receiving all the latest organising, industrial and member services news? Subscribe by sending en email with the word "subscribe" in the heading to memberconnect@actu.asn.au and join 3000 union activists across Australia receiving the monthly updates.
For more information on any of the items above contact:
Charlie Yanni
Workplace Marketing Officer
ACTU Member Connect
3/393 Swanston Street
Melbourne 3000
Ph: 1300 362 223
Fax: 03 9639 1621
cyanni@actu.asn.au