The October edition of your Member Benefits Update explores the potential traps of the ‘buy now pay later’ craze, we announce the winners of the ACTU/ME Bank 2020 NRL and AFL Footy Tipping competitions and we show you how to register for the upcoming ACTU Virtual Organising Conference. There’s a Federal Budget analysis, we introduce you to the ifsinvest team, there’s summer specials via our Member Benefits program plus we have two $50 WISH eGift cards to give away in our monthly competition!
Member Benefits Update October 2020
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The potential traps of Buy Now Pay LaterBuy today, pay tomorrow. It sounds attractive, and it can be very convenient. But new research sheds light on the potential traps. ‘Buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) is the deferred payment option that lets you take purchases home today and pay them off over a series of instalments. According to research by RateCity, Australians are signing up in droves to platforms like Afterpay, zipPay and Openpay, with users wanting to purchase something now, but delaying the pain of paying for it. And that’s where the trouble can lie. Money troubles for 1 in 3 users Interest isn’t usually charged on BNPL purchases, so if you can handle the repayments and stay within budget for purchases, it can be a handy option. |
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Meet ifsinvest; a non-super investment platformifsinvest aims to be a solution to your non-super investment needs. ifsinvest has been helping Unions and Industry Fund members with their investments for over 10 years by providing high quality and competitively priced investment services. ifsinvest began as part of Industry Fund Services. Today, ifsinvest is now part of Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s leading fund managers. ifsinvest continues to work with the ACTU, Unions, Workers Entitlement Funds, Charities, industry fund members and direct investors to provide investment services. As Union members, the ifsinvest team has a keen appreciation of the labour that creates Union member funds and the diligence and care required to manage them. |
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Summer specials at commercial pricesGet ready for summer with this month’s specials from The Good Guys Commercial. Find household essentials like reverse-cycle air conditioners, washing machines and vacuums. Upgrade your TV and make life easier with commercial prices on kitchen appliances. Available online 24/7, The Good Guys Commercial will deliver your products to your door and even arrange installation. Register for your free account through your benefits portal and talk with the dedicated Member Advantage commercial team today. Register for your account here |
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Virtual Organising Conference 2020Registrations for the 2020 Virtual Organising Conference are now open. The conference will take place 16-20 November. This conference represents the coming together of the Indigenous Conference, Youth Conference and Organising Conference — all of which were set to occur separately in 2020. We’re proud to be collaborating with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions to deliver this event. The 2020 Virtual Organising Conference will be held virtually, meaning that you can attend from wherever you are. Union officials, members, retired unionists and HSRs are all welcome to attend. Tickets are $149 for officials and $99 for members and retired unionists. |
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First State Super has a new nameFirst State Super has changed its name to Aware Super. They have thought deeply about the need to create a single brand that clearly represents their desire to be a force for good for their members, the community and the world we live in. This short video explains just why Aware Super represents the future direction of their Fund. |
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Does this budget deliver secure jobs, fast?The test of this budget is whether current jobs are protected, and whether it delivers secure jobs fast to protect workers from the economic impact of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the Government has set itself to fail this test and it admits it in the budget papers. The Treasurer says that successfully moving us through the crisis means getting unemployment comfortably under 6 per cent, yet he forecasts unemployment to peak at 8 per cent and stay at 6.5 per cent right through to 2022. Spending announcements alone are not enough to pull us out of recession, we have to make sure the money goes where it will have the biggest impact – to workers. ACTU President, Michele O’Neil says “The programs and projects delivered must create secure jobs across the economy, and for the people hit hardest by the pandemic, to give them confidence to drive us out of recession.” |
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ACTU/ME Footy Tipping winnersWe are pleased to announce the winners of both the ACTU/ME NRL and AFL Footy Tipping Competitions! The winner of the NRL tipping comp is Ann Kemsley, FSU member and Cowboys supporter from Sydney. Ann won with a fantastic score of 125 points with a margin of 258 at the end of the NRL home and away season. Although she’s a Cowboys fan, Ann’s second team is the Rabbitohs and she would love to see the Bunnies win the NRL Grand Final, however she reckons the Penrith Panthers will snatch it! The AFL footy tipping winner was Jenelle Gannon, MSAV member and Magpies fan from the Goulburn Valley region in Victoria. Jenelle won with an impressive score of 114 with a margin of 370 at the end of the AFL season. Despite being an avid Collingwood fan since she was a wee tot, Jenelle wouldn’t tip the Pies if the other team was looking better on the ladder and her hot tip for the AFL Grand Final is Port Adelaide! Ann and Jenelle both receive $1,000 into an Everyday Transaction Account from ME. Well done on the tipping to Ann and Jenelle and hearty congratulations! Thanks to all the union member tipsters for joining in and also to ME for providing the prize money. |
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Jobs with the union movement – apply nowThere are some terrific union roles currently listed on the ACTU Job Vacancies web page. A variety of positions are available from Digital Marketing Officer, Women & Equity Officer to Industrial Officer, Organiser roles and more. So if you’re in the market for a great union job see what’s on offer today. |
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WIN one of two $50 WISH gift cards this month!Enter the draw to win one of two $50 WISH e-Gift Cards we are giving away to two lucky union members in October. There is no expiry date on the gift cards and they can be used online and at a number of different outlets including Woolworths, Big W and BWS. To enter the competition simply email [email protected] with your name, address, union name and membership number before close of business Friday 30th October 2020. |
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Member Benefits Update October 2020