In the March edition of your Member Benefits Update find out about what’s happening in your state for International Women’s Day, you can join our FREE footy tipping competitions for union members, join the fight to keep penalty rates, register for the 2017 Mother’s Day Classic and grab some bargains with your special union member discount on a range of different products and services! Plus there’s another couple of fantastic DVDs to win. Read on!
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Five steps from ME to be rate rise readyInterest rates have fallen steadily over the past six years but the tide may be turning, making now the time to be rate rise ready. It’s been an extraordinary downhill run for interest rates ever since late 2011, taking the official cash rate to a historic low of 1.5% by January 2017. However, a recent survey by comparison site Finder found one in four money experts expect the cash rate to rise in 2017. Furthermore, RateCity’s 2017 State of the Rates Report says longer term fixed rates are now much higher than variable rates, showing banks don’t expect the days of super low interest rates to last forever. The bottom line is that now is the time to prepare for possible rate hikes. ME explain five key steps to shore up your finances. Read on for the five steps to be rate rise ready |
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Is your Super account missing $1500 (or more)?Are you one of the 2.4 million or almost one third of Australian workers who are not receiving their full super payment? A recently released report by Industry Super Australia (ISA) and Cbus conservatively estimates that the problem of unpaid super was in 2013-2014, a staggering $3.6 billion per year. Using data sourced from the ATO and ABS, they calculated that this figure equates to $1,489 or almost four months of super for every effected worker. Unfortunately, every indication is that this problem is growing. It means that there is a lot of super money in this country that is not benefiting from the power of compounding growth, year after year. |
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Penalty rates – we need a pay rise, not a pay cutIn the last 3 months Australian wages fell by 1.8% – and that’s even before the Liberal-backed penalty rates cut comes down on almost one million workers and their families. With electricity, health insurance and fuel on the rise, we need a pay rise right now – not a massive pay cut! Together we’ll make Malcolm stop the cuts – join the fight now! |
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The ACTU Footy Tipping Competitions are back for 2017!Hey union footy tipsters! The FREE ACTU AFL & NRL footy tipping competitions are happening again in 2017. The NRL season begins this Thursday 2nd March and the AFL kicks off on Thursday 23rd March. There is a total of $2000 in prizes up for grabs with the highest tipster in each competition winning a $1,000 ME Everyday Transaction Account*. So union members make sure you go to www.footytips.com.au to either register as a new tipster or reactivate your footy tipping profile from previous years and then click on the links below for either comp. Handy tip: If you’re reactivating your tipping profile remember to use your username NOT your email address when logging in.
NRL Tipping Comp password is union
*Open to residents of Australia who are current financial members of an ACTU affiliated union or, for retirees, who were financial members as of the date of their retirement. For full terms & conditions please visit australianunions.org.au/footy_tipping. |
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International Women’s Day on 8 March – #BeBoldForChangeAll around the world, International Women’s Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. #BeBoldForChange is the 2017 theme for the internationalwomensday.com global hub. Every person – women, men and non-binary people – can play a part in helping drive better outcomes for women. Through meaningful celebration and targeted bold action, we can all be responsive and responsible leaders in creating a more gender inclusive world. The World Economic Forum predicts the gender gap won’t close entirely until 2186. This is too long to wait. So around the world, IWD provides an important opportunity for ground breaking action that will truly drive greater change for women. Some unions, trades & labour councils and workplaces will be holding IWD events this week in the lead up to 8 March – be sure to check with your union or local state labour council for details of any events in your area. |
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Find your new car with the Motor ReportTime to buy a New Car? The Motor Report has all the information to make your decision easier. And there are exclusive offers for union members:
Make the correct, informed decision for you – check out the specials exclusive to union members at www.themotorreport.com.au/unions |
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Cracka Wines, cracker deals!Did you know that union members receive an additional 7.5% off Cracka’s already heavily discounted prices – site wide? Enjoy the biggest range, unbeatable deals and quality guaranteed! Simply quote UNIONS each time you make a purchase. So head over to crackawines.com.au/unions and grab a bargain today, exclusive to union members. |
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Register now for the 2017 Mother’s Day Classic!Registrations are now open for the 2017 Mother’s Day Classic fun run/walk on Sunday 14 May 2017. From modest beginnings in 1998, the Mother’s Day Classic has grown into one of Australia’s largest national charity events and has become an integral part of Mother’s Day for thousands of Australians. In 2016, more than 107,000 Australians who took part in the event raised $3 million for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This takes the total raised since 1998 to $30.4 million. ME has proudly supported the Mother’s Day Classic since 2005. |
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Household’ financial comfort at lowest level since 2011ME’s 11th Household Financial Comfort Report has found income cuts and employment woes are hurting the financial comfort of Australian households. Underemployment too is inhibiting income growth, with 60% of part-time employees wanting to “increase the hours they work”. Those doing it particularly tough include single parents, who recorded the lowest levels of financial comfort the report has seen, and Gen X, who recorded the biggest falls in their comfort around debt and income. Read the full report on the ME website.
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Member Benefits Update March 2017