|
If you can’t view this newsletter please
click here
to view it online |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Union Member Benefits Update May 2009 |
|
|
|
|
May gives us more reasons to be cheerful with the handing down of an historic Federal
Budget that will introduce a paid maternity leave scheme for which unions have been campaigning for
over 20 years! We also bring news of members who have been out walking for breast cancer research,
a summary of the 2009 Federal budget, a change of the guard at Member Connect,
a book giveaway and a couple of handy resources to help your union dollar go further!
Photo: Delegates enjoying the ‘Roaring 20’s’ themed dinner at the ANF NT Delegates
Convention in early May.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
We saw another great turn out of YRAW walkers and runners at the 2009 Mothers Day Classic. Dedicated YRAW teams
walked and ran in 4km and 8km events around Australia including capital cities and regional areas on Sunday 10 May 2009.
Across the country, YRAW teams wore stickers and badges promoting the union movement’s efforts in the fight for
paid maternity leave and Mum’s Rights At Work.
See photos.
It was fitting the Australian Government announced a paid maternity leave scheme would be in the budget.
A big thank you to all those people who joined the YRAW team for this great event to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and awareness of the YRAW campaign.
We welcome YRAW team members who took photos at their local Mothers Day Classic event to send in photos of their YRAW team to
memberconnect@actu.asn.au.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The second budget from the current Labor Government was released on Tuesday, 12 May 2009.
Industry Fund Financial Planning (IFFP) have produced a handy budget summary outlining the main changes that may affect members in the areas of superannuation, taxation, pensions & health.
Click here to download 2009 Federal Budget Summary
Responding to the 2009 Federal Budget, ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:
“For working Australians and their families this is a Budget for jobs, jobs and jobs with a bit of tough love on the side.
“It takes the hard decisions that are needed now to safeguard jobs and protect Australians from the global recession. At the same time this Budget sets our economy up for the recovery.
Read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This month we have two copies of Humphrey McQueen’s ‘Framework of Flesh’ to give away to two lucky readers.
Framework of Flesh takes up a 1920s challenge from a militant labourer, Charlie Sullivan:
"Few ever think of the great and humble army whose sweat and blood are mingled in the concrete and bricks as surely as if the walls were built over a framework of human flesh."
McQueen uses labourers' own words to retell their battles around scaffolding and sh*thouses, for the safe removal of asbestos, prompt and adequate compensation, and a decent burial.
The stories start in convict times and cover the six States and the ACT. The labourers' struggle for health and safety is followed into their dismantling of the framework of fear erected by the Building and Construction Commission.
To enter the draw to win one of two copies of this book simply email
Member Connect before 5pm on Friday 12 June 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Union members: If you have a long term savings goal, consider parking your savings with an ME Term Deposit Account. Simply open your account with a deposit of $5000 or more, then select the term which best meets your goals – 3,6,9,12 or 24 months.
Relax and enjoy the security of a fixed guaranteed rate of return for the term of your investment
ME Bank’s Term Deposits offer extremely competitive rates on all terms offered.
All interest is calculated daily. You pay no account keeping fees and you earn a maximum return on every dollar you invest
From the day you open a Term Deposit, you can accurately plan ahead because right upfront, you have the security of knowing exactly what returns you will receive when your investment finally matures.
With a guaranteed interest rate locked in for the life of the term you choose, your money is protected from market fluctuations. Leaving you to simply sit back, relax and reap the full rewards of a highly competitive fixed rate where interest on your account is calculated daily and paid out at maturity for terms of 12 months or less^.
At the end of each term, you're free to either pocket the payout or automatically roll over into a new deposit.
Remember all deposits with ME Bank are covered by the Australian Government Deposits Guarantee.
For more information call 13 15 63 or go to www.membersequitybank.com.au
^ Interest on the 24 month term is credited to your nominated account on the 12 month anniversary of the day the account was opened and at maturity in accordance to your instructions.
Terms and conditions available on request.
This is general information only and you should consider if this product is appropriate for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 2009 ACTU Congress is being held from Tuesday 2 June to Thursday 4 June at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
ACTU Congress, held triennially, is effectively a parliament for working people where delegates debate and vote on policies regarding workplace rights.
2009 ACTU Congress will feature a dynamic range of guest speakers including Karen Ackerman AFL - CIO Deputy Political Director, Anna Bligh Queensland Premier, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
There will also be a silent auction held during the ACTU Congress Dinner to raise funds in support of the work of
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA
.
If you are registered to attend Congress don’t forget to visit the Member Connect team at our display stand and enter our great competition to win an IPOD Nano, Cannon Digital Camera and 10 Australian Movie Vouchers.
If you would like to know more about Congress
CLICK HERE
!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have a new member in the ACTU Member Connect team. Mary Kost has joined us as a Workplace & Superannnuation Marketing Officer. Mary brings to Member Connect a range of experience including her work as an Organiser with two unions. She is looking forward to working with unions and the rest of the team. Welcome Mary!
Mary is replacing Rebecca Patena whilst she is on maternity leave. We wish Rebecca all the best with her own personal membership growth campaign!
To contact Mary or for more information about Member Connect visit memberconnect.com.au or call 1300 362 223.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Want to keep up-to-date with the news and issues that may impact you, your family and your household finances?
IFFP News is a FREE quarterly newsletter written in plain English with no product promotions or advertising.
Whether you’re looking to build your super or savings, reduce debt, planning for retirement or transition to retirement, it will help keep you informed and up-to-date.
And, it isn’t filled with ‘plugs’ or advertisements for financial products. IFFP operates on a fee-for-service model. IFFP don’t accept commissions from fund managers to recommend products.
So, even if you don’t need to see a planner at the moment, why not keep in touch?
Click here
to subscribe to IFFP News
IFFP is a division of
Industry Fund Services Pty Ltd
(IFS) ABN 54 007 016 195, AFSL 232514, a wholly owned subsidiary of Industry Super Holdings (ISH) ABN 71 119 748 060,
which in turn is owned by a number of leading industry funds. Go to
iffp.com.au
to see our privacy policy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is a greater need for working Australians to be members of a union to protect their jobs, wages and conditions in these difficult economic times.
Last month ABS data showed that there has been a lift in union membership of more than 56,000 workers and that, excluding casual workers, almost one in four (24%) employees in Australia are members of a union.
The data shows there are more than 1,750,000 workers that are members of a union and that union members earn, on average, $96 a week more than non- members.
It’s a fact; union members get better pay and conditions!
ACTU President Sharan Burrow said the new data was positive considering most of the Howard Government’s WorkChoices IR laws were still in place when the ABS survey took place.
Union members know that to protect your rights at work the best thing you can do is join a union.
If you know of someone who needs to join a union send them the link to
Unions Australia
and they can join online today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sign the petition at
http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/campaigns/ohscampaignaction
A healthy and safe workplace is a right that we can’t take for granted. The shocking truth is that:
- Almost 500,000 work-related accidents each year.
- More than 7,000 Australians die annually from work-related accidents. That is 4 times the annual road toll.
- Cost to the Australian economy is a staggering $57 billion.
There are currently 9 different OHS Laws operating in Australia. All governments want to replace these with a model OHS law. To do this, the Federal Government appointed a Review Panel to make recommendations about the model law. Its final recommendations were released in February and the new model law is due to be completed by the end of 2009.
But instead of raising national OHS standards to the highest level, the Federal, State and Territory governments have now adopted recommendations from the Review Panel that have the potential to strike down up to 30 years of progress.
Unions are not willing to stand by while Australian workers are subjected to second rate health and safety laws.
We need thousands of signatures to show governments around Australia that we're serious about having a strong model OHS law to make our workplaces healthier and safer.
Sign the petition at
http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/campaigns/ohscampaignaction
Get more information at
http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/ohscampaign
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
