Published: 08/08/2019
Category: Member Benefits Super
Published: 08/08/2019
Category: Member Benefits Super

The August edition of your member benefits update brings you the latest on how to put your tax refund to good use, we look at the scourge of unpaid super, there’s some great Father’s Day deals available using your Member Benefits program and you could win one of five family (ADMIT 4) inseason passes to see Angry Birds in our monthly competition!


 

Save or splurge? Put your tax refund to good use

How good is tax time? In exchange for a few hours filling out your tax return, you could receive a handy refund cheque. And with a bit of planning, you could make the tax man’s refund go a lot further.

Receiving any lump sum of cash can make a spot of retail therapy look very appealing. But there is a whole range of clever strategies that can give you more bang for your tax refund buck. Try one – or all – of our suggestions below to maximise the value of this year’s tax refund.

Read on


More


   

Unpaid super – the hidden wage theft

Each year in Australia, employers are failing to pay billions of dollars in superannuation to their workers yet we don’t hear much about this.  Why is it that we do not treat unpaid super like wage theft?

Figures recently released by Industry Super Australia (ISA) found that millions of Australian workers are missing out on their super guarantee entitlements. The research involved a review of ATO data. It concluded that in 2016-2017 around 2.85 million Australian workers eligible for super were missing out on compulsory superannuation payments to the tune of $5.94 billion.*

Recent media attention has rightly focused on underpayment or outright non-payment of wages to workers but in many cases the media misses the issue of unpaid super.  This can lead to workers missing out on funds for their retirement.

Read on

*Super Scandal: Unpaid Super Guarantee in 2016-17 (ISA May 2019)


More


 

Union members earn more in era of low wage growth

People working under enterprise bargaining agreements are winning wage increases ahead of the cost of living, but wages remain too low across the board, data released by the Attorney General’s Department last week reveals.
The Trends in Enterprise Bargaining report for the March 2019 quarter shows that wage increases in newly approved federal agreements fell by 0.1 percentage points to 2.7 percent per year.
This was comprised of a 0.1 percentage point fall to 2.9 percent in the private sector and 0.3 percent to 2.4 percent in the public sector.

Read on


More


   

Are you ready for Father’s Day?

This year use your benefits program to find great ideas for Father’s Day presents. Save on a wide range of exciting gifts from popular brands and products. There’s something for even the pickiest dad!

Including discounted e-gift cards from David Jones, JB Hi-Fi and Flight Centre, 15% off day tours through Urban Adventures and $11 off Off-Peak Gold Class Movie tickets*.

Also, don’t forget to check the monthly specials from The Good Guys Commercial, with gifts perfect for Dad or maybe a cheeky present for yourself!

Find all the gift ideas on your benefits website at actu.memberadvantage.com.au and remember if you haven’t already registered for the program, hit the ‘Register‘ button and input your details to access all the exclusive union member deals.

*Terms and Conditions apply. Savings correct 1/08/2019.


More


   

Hands off our super

Thanks to a ginger group of backbenchers, the super guarantee is back in the spotlight and the promised increase to 12 per cent is once again under threat.

Despite the Prime Minister ruling out any changes to the super guarantee, there is a persistent group of backbenchers – who are entitled to more than 15 per cent in super – determined to take ordinary Australians’ retirement savings away from them.

Unfortunately for this minority of MPs, Australians have thrown their support behind our super system, with 87 per cent of people surveyed supporting an increase in super contributions above the current level of 9.5 per cent.

Read on


More


 

Carnell review attacks workers’ rights

Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell has released a review of the Small Business Dismissal code, recommending changes which would undermine basic protections against unfair dismissal that should be guaranteed for all Australian workers.

The recommendations would also reduce the independence of the Fair Work Commission, and would force the Fair Work Ombudsman – designed as an advocate for working people – to work on behalf of business owners instead.

ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus said, “This latest report from the mis-named ‘Small Business Ombudsman’ simply confirms that the Morrison Government is using taxpayers’ money to fund an employer advocacy group to attack workers’ rights.”  

Read on 


More


Job Vacancies  

Jobs with the union movement – apply now

There are some terrific union roles currently listed on the ACTU Job Vacancies web page.  A variety of positions are available from Senior Industrial Officer to Organiser, training roles and lots more.

So if you’re in the market for a great union job see what’s on offer today.


More


 

WIN a Family Pass to see The Angry Birds Movie 2!

This month, enter the draw to win one of 5 family (Admit 4) in-season passes to see THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 in cinemas from Thursday 12th September, courtesy of Sony Pictures.

The flightless angry birds and the scheming green piggies take their beef to the next level in The Angry Birds Movie 2! 

When a new threat emerges that puts both Bird and Pig Island in danger, Red, Chuck, Bomb and Mighty Eagle recruit Chuck’s sister Silver and team up with pigs Leonard, his assistant Courtney and techpig Garry to forge an unsteady truce and form an unlikely super team to save their homes.

To enter the competition simply email [email protected] with your name, address, union name and membership number before close of business Friday 30th August 2019. 

Angry Birds™ & ©2019 Rovio Entertainment Corporation and Rovio Animation Ltd. The Angry Birds Movie 2 ©2019 CPII. All Rights Reserved


More


SHARE:
Member Benefits Update August 2019

SHARE:
Member Benefits Update August 2019