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| Union Member Benefits Update November 2009 |
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It’s hotting up here at Member Connect and I’m not just talking about the weather! We have some seriously hot items in
our November edition including a fantastic new Hertz deal exclusive to union members, news of the new ACTU Campaign Shop
with giveaways up for grabs, the ‘Adopt a Dinosaur’ campaign, another great DVD competition plus much more.
Member Connect, Your Member Benefits Update.
Photo: Earth Globes – Clean Energy Campaign
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The ACTU has launched a new online Campaign Shop for union and community activists to purchase campaign merchandise. The shop currently has a range of Clean Energy Jobs campaign merchandise for sale, but in the future will be used to compliment other campaigns.
Why not check out the current Clean Energy Jobs "dinosaur" range that includes badges, T shirts, balloons, bumper stickers and shopping bags.
Competition – Member Connect has five "dinosaur" packs to give away this month that each consist of a shopping bag, 2 badges, 2 stickers and 10 balloons. To enter the draw just email
Member Connect with your name, address, union and membership number by close of business Friday 20 November.
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ACTU Member Connect has organised a great new Hertz car rental offer for union members:
- New corporate discounted rates guaranteed 365 days per year, including peak periods
- Vehicle Registration Recovery fee is waived = $5.50 p/day saving
- Lower standard Accident Damages Excess of $770 instead of the usual excess of $3,300
- Lower rates on optional renter protection = up to $6.00 p/day saving
- Free membership to Hertz #1 Club Gold which is valid worldwide
- 10% discount off international affordable rates for NZ, UK, Europe, USA & Canada
Bonus Upgrade – You can also receive a bonus upgrade when you rent with Hertz between 1 November 2009 and 20 December 2009, for a minimum rental period of four days or more. Simply quote your ACTU Member Connect CDP 1862758 and also PC 137852 when making your booking. Offer is subject to availability at participating locations in Australia only and conditions apply.
Visit the Hertz website for an online quote or phone Hertz on 13 30 39.
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Member Connect has three copies of the DVD A Crude Awakening to give away this month. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmakers Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack, tells the story of how our civilization's addiction to oil puts it on a collision course with geology. Compelling, intelligent, and highly entertaining, the film visits with the world's top experts and comes to a startling, but logical conclusion: our industrial society, built on cheap and readily available oil, must be completely re-imagined and overhauled.
"I think I'm going to sell my car" – Margaret Pomeranz, At the Movies
Competition – Member Connect has 3 copies of the DVD A Crude Awakening to give away to lucky union members. Simply email
Member Connect with your name, address, union and membership number to go in the draw by close of business Friday 20 November.
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ME Bank’s Online Savings Account, which has just lifted its interest earnings rate to 4.5% effective from 1 December 2009, has won the Australian Financial Review Smart Investor Blue Ribbon Awards 2009, Overall Savings Account Category.
The judges said: “Over the last year the landscape for Online Savings Accounts has changed dramatically, with a flurry of providers offering attractive promotional/introductory rates to entice deposit holders. ME Bank’s Online Savings Account stands ahead of the pack, offering a competitive ongoing rate, as well as yielding the highest average rate over the 12 month period.”
Tony Beck, ME Bank’s Head of Corporate Affairs said the Bank was delighted that ME Bank’s Online Savings Account continues to be recognised by such high profile organisations such as the Australian Financial Review’s Smart Investor.
“This Australian Financial Review Smart Investor Blue Ribbon award confirms that our business practices, our management, our personnel and our operational strategies continue to deliver real value to our customers in spite of ongoing market volatility,” he said. “As second-tier banks disappear from the Australian financial landscape so does the competition for the big banks. ME Bank intends to stand firm and continue to offer outstanding value and service to our customers.
“We would not win awards like these without the support of our shareholders, members of our affiliates, our staff and our customers.”
Mr Beck said ME Bank was especially pleased to receive the award in the overall Savings Account category.
"During the last 12 months the marketplace was inundated by special interest rate offers by competitors, however if you read the fine print, you will see that the advertised Online Savings Account interest rate was often only a promotional rate, with limited time availability and was only available to new customers," Mr Beck said.
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Union Shopper began operations over thirty years ago, at a time when getting a bargain meant doing the negotiating yourself. Union Shopper allowed members to relax and let us do the hard sell on their behalf, however flash forward to 2009 and getting good deals is much, much easier.
The Internet in particular has significantly changed spending habits, as customers are now able to deal directly with the manufacturer, cutting out the middle-man and their subsequent costs. But did you know that Union Shopper is still able to beat many prices obtained online?
Many online retailers claim to have the cheapest prices around, and while some may be right, what harm is there to be done by contacting Union Shopper to see if there is a better deal out there?
A QPSU member from Forest Lake in Brisbane’s west recently used Union Shopper to get our best deal on a Fisher and Paykel fridge. Within two business hours Union Shopper had a price that was $184 less than online retailer Appliances Online could offer, representing a huge saving of over 19% for the member. The fridge was even delivered straight to their door.
With members now able to place their enquiries online through the Union Shopper website it means you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your computer desk if you want to challenge Union Shopper to find you a better deal.
For more information or to be a part of the savings contact Union Shopper on 1300 368 117 or visit www.unionshopper.com.au
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Why not celebrate the arrival of the start of the festive season by checking out the latest movies and also keep cool in a cinema.
The Australian Movie Voucher is a voucher that is valid at over 50 independent cinemas across Australia. Vouchers are only $9 each, valid for 12 months and can be used any day of the week. Union Members can purchase the vouchers online at the Australian Movie Voucher web site subject to a minimum purchase of 5 vouchers. To find out more about this great offer visit Australian Movie Voucher.
Competition – Member Connect has 3 double movie voucher passes to give away to union members. To go in the draw to win 1 of the passes just email Member Connect with your name, address, union and membership number by close of business 20 November.
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In the spring edition of IFFP News, our underlying message is for all members to take active steps in understanding more about their own superannuation and financial investments for the future. We also inform members about the opportunities available to increase their own financial wellbeing including...
- Understanding more about their individual risk profiles, and how their money is being invested.
- Making the best use of the education seminars, advice options and information services available through their industry super fund.
- Answering a Financial Health Check questionnaire to establish if their finances should be reviewed.
- A case study from a couple about their personal experience with IFFP in planning for their retirement.
As 2009 draws to an end, now is the time to look again at your own financial situation, and set some goals for the future. There is value in advice, and there are many options open to members. Make the most of the services available through your industry super fund and IFFP.
If you don’t already receive IFFP News and would like to, why not subscribe to IFFP News today?
To arrange a review of your financial situation with an IFFP Financial Planner call 1300 138 848 to make an appointment.
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 ifs.net.au for a list of shareholder funds.
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Victorian members - don't miss out on your chance to be part of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA at an evening of cabaret and cocktails - Friday 20th November, 7pm in the New Ball Room at Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts Carlton Melbourne. A light dinner and complimentary cocktails are all included in the ticket price.
Casey Bennetto and The Bella Fellas are back with swinging tunes and special guests Alan Brough, Geraldine Quinn and The Caravan of Love to put you in a festive frame of mind. So get a group together, dust off your dancing shoes, and come and join us for the party!
All money raised at this annual fundraising event will go towards Union Aid Abroad's vocational training, health, HIV/AIDS prevention, workers rights training and tsunami rehabilitation projects. Union Aid Abroad currently has over 50 training projects, through 30 separate project partners in 15 countries.
Go to http://www.bellaunion.com.au/program_guide/show_237 to book your tickets. See you there!
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Whether it is a house, a building, a car, a caravan, a holiday or an ark 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!
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The ACTU and other partners of the Clean Energy Jobs campaign are collecting donations to run the successful "Return of the Dinosaurs" advertisements again.
“Dinosaurs” in big business are spending millions on an advertising campaign to distort the real impacts of climate change action on jobs and “Dinosaurs” in politics are joining in the scaremongering.
Don’t let the dinosaurs rule.
If you care about action on climate change and the creation of hundreds of thousands of Australian clean energy jobs - “adopt a dinosaur” and chip into the national Clean Energy Jobs campaign.
“Adopt a dinosaur” today and help them evolve by:
- Spreading the word! Take the Clean Energy Jobs road show to more towns and cities around Australia
- Keeping the public debate honest! Put the successful dinosaur adverts back on the airwaves, in newspapers and online in the lead-up to important international climate talks at Copenhagen
Every dollar donated helps us take the Clean Energy jobs roadshow to more towns across Australia and keeps the successful dinosaur advertisements on-air.
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