If you can’t view this newsletter please click here to view it online Union Member Benefits Update June 2009 It is well and truly cooling down around the nation, but you can keep warm and cosy in a YRAW beanie if you get in quick! June also brings other fantastic giveaways and news including new Member Connect Cherry Tomato seed sticks to grow your membership benefits, a 2009 ACTU Congress wrap-up and photos, the launch of several new ME Bank branches around the country and Union Aid Abroad APHEDA’s 25th birthday! Member Connect, Your Member Benefits Update. Photo: PM Kevin Rudd with 2009 ACTU Congress delegates in Brisbane ACTU Congress Wrap Up Job security, rights at work, and a vision for a more prosperous and equal Australia were at the top of the agenda when hundreds of delegates met for the ACTU’s national Congress in Brisbane With a theme of ‘Unions: Delivering for all working Australians’, Congress 2009 from June 2-4 has established the union movement’s plan for the next three years. Congress endorsed policies covering the future of work, organising and campaigning, and a fairer society. ACTU President Sharan Burrow and Secretary Jeff Lawrence were both re-elected at Congress for further three year terms, as were Assistant Secretaries Geoff Fary and Tim Lyons, and Senior Vice President Joe De Bruyn. Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave the keynote speech to Congress on the second morning, and in an address to the Congress dinner that night, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, emphasised the historic and enduring partnership between the Labor Government and the union movement. The shadow of the Global Financial Crisis and its impact on jobs was a key theme of the Congress, along with the looming commencement of the Fair Work Act, which will restore many of the rights at work that were lost during the Howard Government era. Delegates also witnessed the launch of a new organising and campaigning theme and slogan – Australian Unions: Working for a Better Life. If you would like to view photos and read key speeches from the 2009 ACTU Congress, click here Business Development Officer Pilot Launched As part of ME Bank’s commitment to building strong partnerships with union and super fund stakeholders, they are trialling a new position of Business Development Officer (BDO) with one union. The BDO will work with union officials and delegates to promote the full range of ME Bank products. The role of BDO has a strong focus on providing support and assistance to the union and spreading the ME Bank message among delegates, activists and the broader membership base. Workplace meetings, delegate training, recruitment campaigns conferences and even the odd BBQ are being organised by the BDO. The BDO role is a new and innovative one which allows ME Bank to make the best use of our most important resource, our people. We are pleased with the progress of the pilot so far and plan to role it out to other unions around the country in the near future. The role supports our existing Business Development Manager and Mobile Banking Manager roles. Our Business Development Managers continue working with all funds and unions, and our Mobile Banking Managers focus on sales. If you would like to learn more about the BDO role or discuss the possibility of becoming part of the BDO pilot, please call Margaret Duncan, National Workplace Operations Manager on 039605 6304 or mobile 0407 208 246 Union Aid Abroad APHEDA Celebrates 25th Birthday! In 2009 Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA celebrates 25 years of working for international justice and workers’ rights. Union Aid Abroad APHEDA CEO Peter Jennings celebrated with the cutting of a cake on stage with ACTU President Sharan Burrow at the 2009 ACTU Congress. To mark this important occasion, Union Aid Abroad APHEDA ran a poster design competition which was open to union members and APHEDA activists, in search of a design which was reflective of the many thousands of women and men who are helped by APHEDA each year to gain decent work. Posters were judged according to creativity, impact and message. The winning entry was designed by APHEDA activist Irena Belova (featured). Irena’s poster will be displayed and distributed widely throughout 2009 and beyond. Irena won a fantastic digital camera courtesy of long term Union Aid APHEDA sponsor Members Equity Bank. Congratulations Irena & thank you Members Equity Bank! This month Member Connect has a limited amount of posters to give 10 lucky readers. If you would like a poster, email Member Connect and name three countries where Union Aid Abroad APHEDA currently runs projects. ME Branches out! Members Equity Bank has recently opened additional branches in Melbourne and Canberra. ME Bank now has 5 branches located in: QLD 199 George Street, Brisbane VIC 365 Queen St, Melbourne 192 Lonsdale St, Melbourne ACT Shop 15B - Hyperdome Centre, 210 Anketell Street, Tuggeranong Shop 30 - Gungahlin Marketplace, 33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin Come into a ME Bank Branch and discuss your banking needs with one of their experienced consultants. They can offer you: Cheque deposit facilities Bank cheque purchase services for existing account holders An ATM for cash withdrawals and account balance information Internet banking terminals for DIY banking They also offer personalised service and information on: Home loans Savings and transactions accounts and term deposits Credit cards and personal loans Discount New Cars & Discount New Bikes – Exclusive Union Service Discount New Cars and Bikes are unique new car and motorcycle buying services that offer many discounted prices across popular makes and models of new cars and bikes. Discount New Cars are partnered with ACTU Member Connect to provide an exclusive Union package that includes pre-negotiated Union discounts and specials, and a strong core focus on providing exceptional customer service for Union Members. Vehicles are supplied through a select group of authorised dealers throughout Australia and unlike a brokerage service - they make no commission on the sale of a vehicle! Discount New Cars aim to make buying a new car or motorbike as enjoyable and as hassle free as possible, guaranteeing a high level of service that is backed up by over 850 accredited new car franchise dealers and over 220 new bike franchise dealers Australia wide. Tired of waiting for the right time to invest? Start now from just $20* per week! Why ME Investment Funds? No entry or exit fees and low ongoing management fees** Flexibility to withdraw your money when you need it No commissions paid to advisers A range of investment options to choose from including pre-mixed and sector-specific What are investment funds? An investment fund, or managed fund, pools your money with that of other investors. The money is managed by professional investment managers. As the value of the fund's investments rises or falls, the value of your investment changes accordingly. To find out more, call 1300 655 286 or visit: investwithme.com.au *Minimum monthly contribution of $80. ** Transaction costs do apply This information is of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should obtain a copy of the latest Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or obtain financial advice before making any investment decisions based on this information. The PDS is available for download at: investwithme.com.au or by calling 1300 655 286. Super Members Investment Limited (SMI) ABN 61 095 974 100, AFSL 231 230, RSE Licence L0001151 is the Responsible Entity of ME Investment Funds. SMI is not an authorised deposit-taking institution and its obligations do not represent deposits or liabilities of Members Equity Bank (MEB). MEB does not stand behind SMI. Don’t wait for a stormy day! Whether it is a house, a building, a car, a caravan or a holiday don't wait until it’s too late to investigate the best insurance cover for your needs. No matter what you want to insure - there are two union owned insurance brokers that can meet your insurance needs. Labour Union Insurance and Union Shopper Insurance Brokers have both been servicing the needs of union members for over 20 years. So why not consider getting a quote from them today? If you want to find out more simply visit our web site. Another great service for union members! New Member Connect Marketing Materials available for Unions Member Connect has recently updated our range of marketing materials to include the eco-friendly Cherry Tomato seed-stick packet. Seed sticks can be ordered especially for union events such as delegate conferences. Proving very popular at the recent ACTU Congress, the seed sticks went like proverbial hotcakes! All you have to do is sprout the Cherry Tomato seeds on each stick and plant them in your garden to grow your membership benefits! If you would like to sample this great giveaway, all you have to do is be one of the first 25 readers to email Member Connect with your details. Member Connect has also updated the DL Union Member flier, featuring information on all the services available exclusively to union members. If you would like to place an order for the DL email Member Connect. YRAW beanie competition Winter has finally descended upon us, freezing our noses & toes and making outdoor activities chilly on our noggins. Just as well Member Connect is looking after you! We have 10 cosy ‘Your Rights At Work’ beanies to give away to 10 lucky readers, simply email us to go in the draw. There is a limited range of YRAW merchandise available through Advance Merchandising. Click here to find out more. Catch up on the News! We understand that you don’t always have time to read everything when it arrives, so catch up on previous issues of the IFFP News by clicking here! IFFP News is a FREE quarterly newsletter written in plain English with no product promotions or advertising. If you don’t already receive IFFP News, why not subscribe today? Subscribe to IFFP News 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. IFFP operates on a fee-for-service model. We 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? 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. Union Member Benefits Update June 2009 © Copyright ACTU Member Connect 2009 for more information visit www.memberconnect.com.au To unsubscribe, click here. To subscribe, click here.