1 in 2 working Australians has left some of their super behind. This means you or your family and friends could have lost super. AUSfund is dedicated to reuniting these unclaimed super accounts with their rightful owners.

AUSfund makes finding your super easy with a simple search requiring only your name and date of birth – and it’s a free service!

AUSfund strives to reunite you and your members with their lost and unclaimed super. Reclaim it now!

Look for lost super at unclaimedsuper.com.au

COMPETITION: To win a bottle of wine or one of six AUSfund giftpacks all you have to do is answer this question: ‘How many Australians have lost super?’ Hint: visit unclaimedsuper.com.au. Email your entry to Member Connect by 5pm on 30 September to go in the draw.

Members Equity Bank is an award-winning bank that is 100% Australian owned by leading Industry Superannuation Funds. More than 200,000 Australians enjoy low cost home loans and attractive interest rates on deposits.

Members Equity Bank prides itself on providing customers with straightforward, transparent and fair banking products. Members Equity Bank is also recognised for supporting their customers with outstanding personal service which represents real value for money.

Members Equity Bank is a licensed bank governed by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). According to APRA statistics, Members Equity Bank's growth in household deposits is among the fastest for all Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs).

Members Equity Bank is financially sound, profitable and is growing market share, with secure funding channels in place. Most Australian banks have invested in the Members Equity Bank funding programme. Members Equity Bank’s investment grade credit rating has recently been confirmed by independent rating agency Standard and Poors.

Members Equity Bank is in a strong financial position and their customers can have every confidence in the future of their bank.

For further information please ring ME on 1300 63 22 65.

The Young Unionists’ Network hosted the 2008 National Young Workers Conference on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th September. This year the conference was held at Victorian Trades Hall Council in Melbourne

Young workers, activists, students, organisers and those interested in issues affecting young people joined in discussions, actions, workshops and celebrations under the theme ‘Maintain the Rage’. Conference workshops addressed issues such as legal rights, access and equity, financial freedom, staying safe at work, unions and the environment, queer rights at work, young people’s issues in the blue collar sector, and community organising. Member Connect was a proud sponsor of the conference.

For more information or to join the Young Unionist Network, please visit yun.org.au

Union members are great supporters of the work of Union Aid Abroad APHEDA. Now it’s even easier to make a difference and encourage other members in your workplace to make regular contributions to support projects that deliver real skills to workers and communities in developing countries!

The Australian Taxation Office has recently launched the Workplace Giving Program, which encourages working men and women to donate to a charity of their choice through payroll deductions.

Under the new scheme, employers will deduct the donation before participating employees receive their pay. Employees will not pay tax on the donated amount and will not need to claim the deduction at the end of the financial year.

For more information on the Workplace Giving Program visit Union Aid Abroad APHEDA website or call 02 9264 9343

The annual Union Aid Abroad APHEDA Melbourne and Sydney events are fast approaching.

The Sydney dinner will feature guest speaker Richard Glover - ABC Radio host, bestselling author of Desperate Husbands and regular columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney dinner will be held on Friday 10 October.

The Melbourne 'Christmas Cocktails' event is on Friday 21st November. Guests will be treated to a fun-filled night including food, drinks, auctions, raffles and entertainment.

Hurry! Bookings for both events are essential and tickets will sell FAST! For more information click here or please call 02 9264 9343 or email office@unionaidabroad.org.au

Finding a great discount on a new vehicle is even easier with the new look website for Discount New Cars.

Discount New Cars ‘Union Member Service’ is a unique car buying service, offering discounted prices on most popular makes and models of new cars for union members. Vehicles are supplied through a select group of accredited union dealers Australia wide.

Check out the Union Specials page where you will find the best prices available on a selected range of new motor vehicles.

This exclusive member benefit proudly supports the union movement!

For more information visit www.discountnewcars.com.au/unions or call 1800 146 666.

Do you want to invest towards your children’s future or a house deposit? Do you want to build a share portfolio or invest in property without the hassle of tenants?

You can start investing with ME Investment Funds (‘managed’ funds) with as little as $20 / week!

Owned by a number of major industry superannuation funds, ME Investment Funds offers competitive fees and a history of strong investment performance*.

Barefoot investor Scott Pape gives his opinion on MEIF in his article ‘It’s a Super Juggle’ in which he stresses the importance of a lifetime saving plan and superannuation, particularly for women workers. To read the full article click here.

* Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance; the value of your investment can rise or fall. To view the latest performance figures, go to investwithme.com.au.

ME Investment Funds is issued by Super Members Investment Limited (ABN 61 095 974 100, AFSL 231 230, RSE L0001151). You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) when deciding to acquire, or continue to hold, the product. The ME Investment Funds PDS is available from the website or by calling 1300 655 286.

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!

Union Shopper is well aware of the growing financial pressures on working families and the importance of saving wherever possible.

In response to feedback received from members Union Shopper has developed and launched a new website! The website changes the way members can use this great service to make saving easier. The new website features a fresh and interactive members only section. It will help you shop, participate and take advantage of the savings Union Shopper has to offer.

To check out the new website and register for the members only section, visit unionshopper.com.au

Why not support the ongoing Your Rights at Work campaign with this travel mug with the strong but simple message - worth joining for. These 450ml stainless steel travel mugs are available for $500 for 100 mugs plus GST and freight. Other quantities are available on application.

For more information or to place an order contact the the ACTU's supplier Advance Merchandising on 03 9329 9011 or by email paul@advancemerchandising.com.au

Why not tell your friends and family about the ACTU Worksite for Schools, a fantastic resource for students and employees about to enter the workforce for the first time?

Worksite has produced “Your 1st Job Guide” which covers all the important stuff new employees need to know when they start out, like getting the correct pay, being treated fairly, staying safe and gaining skills. As well as useful all employees need to know including ‘Get it in writing first’ and ‘Keep your payslips’!

“Your 1st Job Guide” also looks at some scams and scandals that can suck in unsuspecting new employees – and smart ways to avoid being ripped off!

Visit www.worksite.actu.asn.au for more information or click here to download a takeaway version of “Your 1st Job Guide”