real change magazine spring/summer 2013/14

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE MAGAZINE – SPRING/SUMMER 2013-14

REAL CHANGE

THIS ISSUE:OUR BRANCH COUNCIL: Endorsing Our New Objective

OUR QUEENSLAND OUR FUTURE: Our Members Keep The Pressure On The State Government In Regard To Privatisation

INVESTING IN QUALITY COMMUNITY SERVICES: SACS Campaignwww.theservicesunion.com.au

MAGAZINE OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUNICIPAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, CLERICAL AND SERVICES UNION QUEENSLAND (SERVICES AND NORTHERN ADMINISTRATIVE) BRANCH ABN 86 351 665 653 QUEENSLAND SERVICES, INDUSTRIAL UNION OF EMPLOYEES ABN 13 540 483 194 TRADING AS THE SERVICES UNION. AUTHORISED BY JENNIFER THOMAS, ACTING SECRETARY, AUSTRALIAN MUNICIPAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, CLERICAL AND SERVICES UNION QUEENSLAND (SERVICES AND NORTHERN ADMINISTRATIVE) BRANCH AND THE QUEENSLAND SERVICES, INDUSTRIAL UNION OF EMPLOYEES.

IN THIS ISSUE ...

Our uniOn Office will be clOsed frOm midday Tuesday, 24 december 2013 and will reOpen Thursday 2 January 2014. we wOuld like TO wish all Our members a safe and happy fesTive seasOn.

STUDENT BURSARIES 2014Financial members of The Services Union with a child who completed Year 12 in 2013 are invited to apply for a student bursary. Each year, the boy and girl with the best Student Education Profile (SEP) each receive a bursary of $750. To nominate your child, please send a photocopy of your child’s SEP containing their Senior Certificate and their Tertiary Entrance Statement including Overall

Position (OP) and Final Position (FP) by 14 February 2014, to:

The Services Union BursaryPO Box 3347South Brisbane Q 4101

Please contact Services Connect on 07 3844 5300 if you have any further enquiries.

ASU/QSU ANNUAL OPERATING REPORT

The ASU/QSU (The Services Union) Annual Operating Report is now available for all members to access via our website.

Please visit www.theservicesunion.com.au and click on the‘Annual Operating Report’ link which can be found under the ‘About Us’ menu towards the footer on our home page.

If you have any queries regarding the Report please email us at [email protected]

REAL CHANGE MAGAZINEwww.theservicesunion.com.au

PRESIDENT: Bob BallBRANCH SECRETARY: Kathrine NelsonACTING SECRETARY: Jennifer ThomasACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Neil HendersonPublished by the Australian Services Union, Queensland (Services and Northern Administrative) BranchEDITOR: Jennifer ThomasPRINTED BY: Harding Colour Printing T: 07 3907 6500

SERVICES CONNECTT: 07 3844 5300F: 07 3846 5046E: [email protected]

BRISBANE OFFICE32 Peel Street (PO Box 3347) South Brisbane Q 4101

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND OFFICE110-114 Campbell St (PO Box 5160)Red Hill, Rockhampton Q 4701F: 07 4922 3919

NORTH QUEENSLAND OFFICE485 Flinders St (PO Box 1048)Townsville Q 4810F: 07 4721 1582

SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND OFFICELevel 1 Trades Hall, 19A Russell St (PO Box 1619)Toowoomba Q 4701F: 07 4638 9133

MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Belinda Hogan-CollisTRAINER: Holly PattersonGROWTH TEAM:GROWTH LEADER: Kirk RostockORGANISERS: Ellen Kear, Stuart Maggs, Zach WalshDEVELOPMENT TEAM:LEGAL AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR: Neil HendersonDEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR: Justine MoranSENIOR INDUSTRIAL OFFICERS: Rebecca Girard, Ben Green, James Mattner, Michelle Robinson, Tneka SpringettINDUSTRIAL OFFICERS: Jack Donaghy, Jace Mitchell, Gerard O’Gorman.SACS LEADER: Catherine LahertyGOC LEADER: Danny ReevesCAMPAIGN ORGANISER: Louise RyanORGANISERS: Ben Jones, Anna Herzog, Chiara Lennox, Steve Rodgers, Peter Ryan, Richard Tarnawski, Sarah GleesonSUPPORT STAFF: Barbara Cochrane, Christian Dickinson, Karen Davis, Debbie Draper, Jane Grey, Debbie Hoogerdyk, Kim Johansson, Mary Maddocks, Cary Pollock, Jeanine Orzani

REAL CHANGE

03 WELCOMEBRANCH SECRETARIES’ REPORT: By Jennifer Thomas and Neil Henderson

04 OUR QUEENSLAND OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGNIN FULL SWING

06 27 WAYS AND GROWINGCAMPAIGN ACTIONS

08 INVESTING IN QUALITY COMMUNITY SERVICES SACS CAMPAIGN AND ITS PRIORITIES

10 MEMBER TRAINING

11 DELEGATE OF THE YEARPENNY CARR

12 BRANCH COUNCIL MEETING 2013SETTING OUR OBJECTIVES

14 INDUSTRY NEWS

16 STUDENT BURSARY WINNERSGEORGIA SPENCERJORDAN RAETZSAFFI KEREZSY

17 CHANGE MAKERSJACQUELINE PEDERSENDOMINIC HALELORRAINE WALTER

18 ANNA STEWART MEMORIAL PROJECTMICHELLE MCDONALDLEAH MALZARD

20 SPECIAL REPORTOUR GOVERNANCEBRANCH OBJECTIVES

21 FEATUREDO YOU NEED A TDT IN YOUR WILL?

22 DO IT DIRECTIT PAYS TO MAKE THE SWITCH

23 REAL CHANGEIMPORTANT MEMBER INFORMATION ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE

02 REAL CHANGE | SPRING/SUMMER 2013-14 | www.theservicesunion.com.au

CONTENTS

ABOVE: ACTING SECRETARY JENNIFER THOMAS AND ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY NEIL HENDERSON WITH DELEGATE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES, LORRAINE WALTER, DAVID GLAZIER,

RONNEE MEACHEN AND STEPHEN PEACOCK

Our Branch Council recently met to discuss and recommend our Union’s Objectives for the next 12 months. The broad Objectives of The Services Union (its reason for existing) are set out in our rules and there are many. However, there are three key Objectives which are central to our existence. They are:

• Upholding the rights of organised labour, to improve, protect and foster the best interests of its members and to subscribe to and/or co-operate with a policy of improving the cultural and living standards of all its members;

• To watch over, improve, foster and protect the interests of its members;

• To improve the social and economic position of its members.

With these Objectives in mind coupled with the present political climate, our Branch Council focused on the doctrine, when we organise to build power in our workplaces and our communities we can also look outwards so we can analyse, imagine, create and negotiate for the common good. Why do we do it? We continue to do it for the same reasons as we did when we established the Objectives of our Union. Currently, our biggest focus is to strive to allow genuine participation, to build upon and establish workplace leadership, to listen to our members and the pressures they are experiencing, to share their stories and continue to

address these pressures in an industrial and social setting. Achieving this is possible for us as we have already laid excellent foundations. We have a strong Branch Council who are willing to evaluate and adjust the way we work and try new things.

We have also grown as a Union the past ten years. This has been achieved with a background of good economic times and a mixture of governments. We have progressed industrially and this is because we have the ability to adapt with the times.In the past year, we have continued to find new workplace leaders and 31 per cent of our new members fall into the youth category. Our Branch Council recommended that we must build on our base achievements by enhancing workplace power through workplace leadership. Member participation will be essential if we are to continue to build on these fundamentals, for we are facing governments who may not recognise the vital role of union members in the workplace and the community.

Under attack or not, opinion polls have shown, voters oppose privatisation and cuts to the services our members deliver. There is sympathy towards unions, their work and voters consistently oppose a WorkChoice style of reform. We have helped shape public opinion on these issues and this is why it is paramount we continue to build workplace leadership and member participation on these issues. As our industrial laws are attacked that

reduce our arbitrary powers where we can rely less on arguing before tribunals we must continue to be established in our workplaces and communities to continue to win issues on the ground and out in our communities for our members.

However, we cannot be restricted by who is in government. We need to argue, listen, revise our views, campaign and challenge ourselves and those who hold power. What matters to us is having a stake in the process, therefore bringing about Real Change. The new endorsed Objective around participation and leadership is a great way to focus and continue to share our positive message, our positive history and our positive future. You are able to read the fully endorsed Objective on Page 20.

In June 2013, our Secretary Kath Nelson was granted extended leave. Our Union Executive made the appropriate contingent arrangements where I was appointed the Acting Secretary and Neil Henderson as the Acting Assistant Secretary. In January 2014, I notified our Executive and staff, I will be commencing maternity leave from this December. Neil Henderson has been endorsed as Acting Secretary and Justine Moran, the Acting Assistant Secretary, until Kath and I return. Be rest assured our Union is in excellent hands with Neil and Justine leading us during this period. We would like to thank you all for your on-going support. Thank you for being a part of our Union.

BY JENNIFER THOMAS AND NEIL HENDERSON

ADAPTING WITH THE TIMES - PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE | SPRING/SUMMER 2013-14 | REAL CHANGE 03

SECRETARIES REPORT

SOCIAL MEDIA

CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:www.ourqldfuture.com

FACEBOOK:www.facebook.com/OurQldOurFuture

TWITTER: twitter.com/OurQldOurFuture

CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWINGThe Our Queensland, Our Future Campaign is in full swing. Members from the Energy, Rail and Ports Industries have been extremely active across Queensland, campaigning against the privatisation of our essential services.

We have established a website, social media platforms, produced physical campaign material, and generated metropolitan and regional media of our members’ activism. A statewide workplace and community tour was also conducted in response to the Costello Commission of Audit Report.The campaign has been extremely effective in raising the profile of the State Government plans to privatise and outsource services and jobs in the Energy, Port and Rail Industries.

Our Queensland, Our Future was instrumental in the State Government’s decision to back away from the Costello Report’s Recommendations to privatise Queensland’s electricity distribution network, managed by Ergon and Energex. This is a positive achievement for our Campaign.Congratulations to members who have helped achieve this outcome. It is clear the political ramifications of privatising our essential services are concerning the State Government.

However, the fight is far from over. The State Government is still pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda to sell off our ports, power generators and outsource our passenger rail services. It is also considering private investment in future electricity network infrastructure, in return for equity in public distribution businesses. If this policy comes to fruition in the future, our members at Powerlink could face direct ramifications associated with privatisation.

The next step in the campaign is to secure its delivery on the ground, and this is where you can help. As a member of our union you can get involved by speaking to your colleagues, friends and family about what privatisation of services would mean for them. It could mean increased electricity prices, less reliable and more expensive public transport and job losses.

Currently, Working Committees are being established with other unions. The Committees will be made up of people from a range of different professions who are passionate about protecting Queensland’s essential services and ensuring the campaign is effectively delivered in their community. If you would like to be a part of these committees, contact Campaign Organiser, Louise Ryan at [email protected] or by calling Services Connect on 3844 5300.

MACKAY MEMBERS IN ACTIONMembers in Mackay were active during the State Government’s Queensland Summit to rally against privatisation plans earlier this year. Campaign supporters, members and Workplace Delegates of The Services Union let the State Government know in no uncertain terms that our essential community services are not for sale! Members presented a petition with close to 3000 signatures to the Member for Mackay, Tim Mulherin calling on the State Government to not sell off assets. The petition was then presented to Premier Campbell Newman.

HANDS OFF OUR RAIL SERVICES!The Queensland Government is lining up our metropolitan passenger rail for privatisation. Recent rail industry reforms have seen Queensland Rail (QR) transformed from a Government Owned Corporation (GOC) to a Statutory Authority. This change impacted on members’ sense of job security and the condition of public passenger rail conditions.

The State Government has indicated it is open to further reforms including the outsourcing and privatisation of passenger rail services and network maintenance.

Higher travel costs, less reliable public services as well as cuts to jobs, services, wages and working conditions could be in store.

04 REAL CHANGE | SPRING/SUMMER 2013-14| www.theservicesunion.com.au

OUR FUTURE OUR QUEENSLAND CAMPAIGN

Members of The Services Union and community supporters met in August to discuss the impact of over 200 job cuts at Tarong Power Station since October 2012. Over 100 people from the local area met with one clear message: The cuts are hurting the community!

Workplace Delegate of our Union, Eddie Krauksts (pictured above), addressed the forum and said the community is doing it tough. “There is still the same amount of work to do and not enough

staff to pick it up. Workers are concerned about their future and worried about more cuts next year. We’ve got to be strong and stick together,” Eddie said. “Our members are angry that our local government leaders are so indifferent about what’s happening.”

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington was invited to the forum but did not attend. Other noticeable absences included Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and South Burnett Shire Councillors. Business owners, community organisations and local families spoke at the forum.

With a population of only 4500, the local community relies heavily on the power station to support the local economy. The job cuts are directly affecting the sustainability of local businesses and job security for their staff.

“For some, it may even mean that their family will have to move elsewhere to find work,” Eddie said. “This has real effects for our local education and healthcare facilities, because it can lead to cuts to nurses and teachers in the future, as the local population continues to decline.”

The Our Queensland, Our Future team is currently working with our Workplace Delegates across the sector and speaking to staff in workplaces regarding the cuts.

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MEMBERS AT TARONG: CUTS HURTING OUR COMMUNITY


OUR QUEENSLAND OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN

We had a very busy June with the 27 Ways and Growing Initiative focusing on Annual Leave. We had a great response to our photo competition which asked entrants to send in their favourite holiday photo with a 30 word caption explaining how annual leave improves their lifestyle.

Congratulations to member Lorraine Poth (left) who won first prize. Lorraine is the winner of a $1500 Shopper Travel Voucher from our partners Union Shopper.

“I could not believe I had won. This competition hit a note with me because of the importance of holidays,” Lorraine says. “Union members are behind getting increases to annual leave approved and it is important we never lose this condition, because people work so hard these days.”

The competition had so many great entries we decided to award two runners-up. Congratulations to members Nelson Handyside and Nick Herson who each received a $100 shopping voucher.

LORRAINE WINS ANNUAL LEAVE PHOTO COMPETITION

SUPERANNUATIONIn July, as part of the 27 Ways and Growing Initiative we focused on Superannuation as an important workplace condition. In selected member workplaces across Queensland, information sessions on Superannuation were held in conjunction with our partners Hesta Super Fund, Local Government Super and Energy Super. Superannuation did not come easily. Unions took the fight to the courts where they battled the vested interests who argued against a fair go for retirees. In 1986, workers agreed to sacrifice a national 3% increase to help fund the newly created superannuation system. In 1992, the Labor Federal Government, supported by the union movement, introduced compulsory employer payments called the ‘Superannuation Guarantee’ for all employees. From 1992 to 2002, compulsory employer payments increased from 3% to 9%. This year, following further campaigning by unions, the ‘Superannuation Guarantee’ will be increased from 9% to 12%. This will be phased in over the 2013 to 2020 period.

NICK HERSON FROM BRISBANE

CITY COUNCIL (BCC) IS

PRESENTED WITH HIS

RUNNER-UP AWARD BY BCC IDC

VICE PRESIDENT AND MEMBER

OF OUR UNION’S EXECUTIVE,

MARGARET EVANS

NELSON HANDYSIDE FROM

SOMERSET REGIONAL

COUNCIL IS CONGRATULATED

BY HIS WORKMATES ON HIS

RUNNERS-UP PRIZE IN THE

27 WAYS AND GROWING

ANNUAL LEAVE

PHOTO COMPETITION


27 WAYS AND GROWING

In August, as part of our 27 Ways and Growing Initiative, we celebrated the working lives and contributions of our members. We profiled four of our members, Maragret Evans, Herb Snide, Maragret Gleeson and Camille Furtado who told their stories about their work and contributions to our communities.

The profiles were broadcast on our Campaign website and social media pages. Members were encouraged to comment about their work and how it contributes to our community. Members also commented on the positive changes they had seen since entering the workforce and how union membership improved their lifestyle.

Camille who works for Amnesty International (Australia) says her job is important because it is about community engagement. “My work helps people think globally but act locally. It hopefully helps people realise they can do something great in their local community to educate people about human rights violations happening in our region and across the world and that by taking action they can create positive change.”

Camille adds, “As a younger worker, I am very conscious that the rights I have at work are a result of long fought struggles by women and men over generations. The struggle to regain rights will only be harder if we let them be bargained away.”

WE CELEBRATED OUR MEMBERS, THEIR WORK AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY DURING AUGUST 2013. READ ALL THE MEMBER STORIES AT WWW.27WAYS.COM.AU

TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN

27 WAYS IN NQ

Members in Townsville got active around the 27 Ways and Growing Initiative in August.

Coinciding with the opening of the newly renovated Townsville Office, (please see our Industry News for more details) members reflected on their achievements and how the work they perform helps their local community.

As part of the activities, The Services Union had a billboard promoting our 27 Ways and Growing Initiative situated on Bayswater Road, Garbutt.

Our Union also advertised our members work in the Townsville Bulletin online (please see above). This advertising was part of the membership strategy of our Union.

CELEBRATING WORKERS MONTH

MEMBER CAMILLE FURTADO

AND ‘MINI’ ACTIVIST OF THE

SERVICES UNION

JOE COLLIS AT THE RECENT

RALLY FOR REFUGEES

IN BRISBANE SQUARE.

CAMILLE ORGANISED A

TEAM OF LOCAL AMNESTY

SUPPORTERS TO ATTEND

THE EVENT AND A NUMBER

OF OUR MEMBERS ALSO

SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT

WHAT’S COMING UP?BE SURE TO CHECK THE 27 WAYS WEBSITE, WWW.27WAYS.COM.AU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW BEING A UNION MEMBER IMPROVES YOUR LIFESTYLE! PLEASE SHARE THE LINK WITH YOUR WORKMATES.

A LOOK AT CARERS LEAVE, HOURS OF WORK AND WORK/LIFE BALANCE COMING SOON - STAY TUNED.


27 WAYS AND GROWING

Members in the Social and Community Services (SACS) Industry recently completed a industry survey and the results are in. We have prepared an infographic to share the results.

It is heartening that 69.4% of respondents said they are prepared to take action in support of appropriate funding for our industry.

Our Investing in Quality Community Services campaign needs workers in the sector to become active in advocating for the value of the work we do.

OUR CAMPAIGN HAS FIVE KEY PRIORITIES:

• We need increased Government investment in Community Services so community organisations can afford to pay staff what they’re worth and community workers can continue to deliver high quality services.

• We need to speak out against funding cuts to community services that reduce our ability to deliver services that respond to our communities’ needs.

ABOVE: GET INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN. VISIT WWW.THESERVICESUNION.COM.AU FOR ALL THE DETAILS

CAMPAIGN UPDATESACS MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THEIR INDUSTRY AND THE COMMUNITY, TO ENSURE OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES ARE MAINTAINED AND ENHANCED

QUICK FACTS

• We need increased job security for community workers for consistent and stable service provision to the clients and community members who rely on community workers.

• We need reduced red tape and reporting that takes front line staff away from the critical services they deliver directly to Queenslanders in need.

• We need to educate our political representatives and the broader community about why quality Community Services are vital to our Queensland and our future.

Adequate funding for services is our main concern if we are to maintain the current levels of services for our communities, particularly as our Equal Pay wage increases phase-in over the next seven years.

In this year’s State Budget, the State Government provided 3.06% indexation of funding.

For many organisations, in this financial year workers’ wages will increase between 2.6% and 4.89%, while the superannuation guarantee increased by 0.25% from 1 July 2013 and will increase again in July 2014.

Are you one of the 69% of workers that’s prepared to get active? Join our campaign – we need workers from the sector to lobby local MPs, talk to other workers about joining our union and take action too.

Want to get more involved? Contact Social and Community Services Coordinator Catherine Laherty at [email protected]

BARGAININGThrough our Equal Pay Campaign, our Union had to deprioritise Enterprise Bargaining in Social and Community Services organisations as we focused our resources on improving the minimum wages in the sector, which provides the greatest benefit to our members.

With the increases in wages due to our successful Equal Pay Case and the budget pressures employers are experiencing, members need to seriously consider whether there are real benefits to pursuing a new or replacement Agreement.

In the current environment, what can members gain through bargaining? Is it really in our interests to bargain?

For members who are covered by an existing Agreement, even if it is expired, an Agreement continues to cover you until it

is replaced or terminated. Terminating an Agreement requires an application to the Fair Work Commission.

LARGE EMPLOYER BARGAININGUnion members at the Endeavour Foundation and Churches of Christ Care have been engaged in protracted negotiations for replacement Agreements. The Cerebral Palsy League’s (CPL) EBA expired earlier this year, but CPL has passed on an administrative wage increase and wants to begin bargaining in 2014. Ozcare negotiations are set to commence in September.

SMALL EMPLOYER BARGAININGOur union’s national office is assisting our branch in developing resources to assist members at smaller SACS organisations to bargain. These tools will simplify the process and be used to assist Delegates and members at smaller organisations to bargain with their employers.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY EMPLOYER GIVES ME A ‘NOTICE OF REPRESENTATIONAL RIGHTS’?When an employer wants to start bargaining for an Agreement, they must issue staff with a “Notice of Representation Rights”. If you receive one, contact our Union office. Even though the notice will say your Union is your bargaining representative, not all employers notify our Union. By speaking to our Union staff you can receive advice or together we can come up with a plan.


INVESTING IN QUALITY COMMUNITY SERVICES


INVESTING IN QUALITY COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Services Union has run a series of Basic Delegates Training Courses across our Industries this year, attracting on average, 10 participants per course. The new interactive course focuses on participation, and includes a practical workplace project designed to allow Workplace Delegates to practise some of the skills they learn in the course. The final Course will be held in Brisbane on 15 and 16 October, with one follow up day on 28 November 2013.

Workplace Delegate Josephine Longley (pictured below, front left) says the Course reinforced the communication and listening skills a Workplace Delegate needs to effectively fulfil their role for our Union. “I learned different and new skills by listening in the workshops about how the other Delegates deal with issues in their workplace. We all benefited from this shared knowledge.”

Feedback from members this year is they require further training around bargaining, building communication structures and representation of colleagues in the workplace around industrial issues. The good news is a new training course focusing on these skills is currently in development and will be available in 2014. Dates, times and venues will be available early next year.

This year the first Activist Program ran in March, with the second program starting on the 1 and 2 August 2013, with a follow up day on 11 October 2013.

The Program integrates active and participatory learning approaches with an emphasis on reflective and collaborative learning. It includes opportunities for dialogue with peers, reflection and documentation of learning from experience. Diverse training strategies are adopted, appropriate to specific topics or skills.

Activist Tehanne Denham-Jarvis (pictured above) says she has learned much about campaigning and motivation.“I am now able to develop and run successful campaigns involving myself and other Workplace Delegates. It is important to be able to motivate fellow potential activists into fighting a cause,” Tehanne says. “I have learned how the human rights movement directly relates to our workplace rights; fundamental things we are entitled to, in our working and personal lives.”

ABOVE: OUR CURRENT CLASS OF 2013 (L-R FRONT) KATE FLYNN, TEHANNE DENHAM-JARVIS AND EUNICE DONOVAN

(L-R BACK) LARS ALEXSON, LISA HEAP (TRAINER), MICK MOHR, ROSS STENHOUSE AND LUKE VINEY

ACTIVIST DEVELOPMENTDUE TO THE OUTSTANDING SUCCESS OF OUR FIRST ACTIVIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM RUN LAST YEAR, MEMBERS GOT THE CHANCE TO GET ACTIVE AGAIN IN 2013

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES OUR UNION LEADS BEST PRACTICEThe Services Union has been an international leader in this field with the first Domestic Violence Leave Clause negotiated by the Australian Services Union (ASU) in Victoria in September 2010. This is considered to be world’s best practice and was acknowledged as such by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March 2013. Nationally, the ASU has worked with the Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House on the Domestic Violence Workplace Rights and Entitlements Project.

The Services Union ran training for Queensland Rail (QR) Workplace Delegates earlier this year on why Family Violence is considered a workplace issue, what their entitlements are,

and how to make sure workers are able to access these entitlements when necessary. Members at QR now have a Domestic Violence Leave Clause in their Agreement. Over 20 Workplace Delegates attended. The training was run by Ludo McFerran and Robyn Dale from the Domestic Violence Workplace Rights and Entitlements Project run by the University of New South Wales.

WORKPLACE DELEGATE TRAINING 2013


MEMBER TRAINING

ABOVE: DELEGATE OF THE YEAR PENNY CARR, WITH SECRETARY KATH NELSON AND ACTING SECRETARY JENNIFER THOMAS

DELEGATE OF THE YEAR 2013 - PENNY CARRCONGRATULATIONS TO PENNY CARR ON BEING AWARDED OUR DELEGATE OF THE YEAR.PENNY HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE SERVICES UNION SINCE 1993 AND HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN CAMPAIGNING FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AND WORKING RIGHTS OF MEMBERS IN THE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SECTOR.

Her selfless commitment to union values have been demonstrated consistently by her active involvement in our Union, as Branch Councillor since August 1999, a SACS Industry Committee Division (IDC) member since November 2000, and SACS Vice President and Executive member since September 2010. As the Coordinator at the Tenants Union of Queensland, Penny has facilitated collective agreements and worked tirelessly to ensure staff are paid the Queensland Pay Equity rates. She sets an example in her workplace advocating union values and supporting Workplace Delegates.

Penny uses her extensive networks in the Community Services sector to promote union membership and activism. From the 1990s ‘SACS Award Now’

Campaign to the ‘We Do it For Love and Money- Pay Equity’ Campaign for Queensland SACS workers in 2008 and 2009, to the national Equal Pay Case and Campaign from 2010 to 2012, Penny has been at the forefront, advocating for her sector and industry colleagues.

Penny best exhibited her extraordinary skills as a campaigner and leader through effective use of collective action in the ongoing fight to Save Tenant Services when the Queensland State Government announced it would cut five million dollars in funding, to Queensland’s Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS) in 2012. The cuts would affect 23 organisations across Queensland, and would see close to 90 workers lose their jobs. Penny, along with her colleagues from TAAS and its supporters campaigned tirelessly in their own time whilst also spending weekends at local markets, raising community awareness.

The Campaign communicated clearly to the community against the Government’s rhetoric about funding and the fact that TAAS is primarily funded by the interest on Tenants’ bonds, not government revenue. This helped TAAS win community support

for maintaining an important, self-funded service. Penny personally represented members at TAAS-funded services and is the face and voice for all TAAS workers. This dedication has been seen since the first Day of Action outside Premier Campbell Newman’s electorate office in Ashgrove, to speaking in front of tens of thousands of Queensland workers at the Stand for Queensland Rally.

Penny has been TAAS’s media spokesperson. She has also mapped services, working with Delegates and Union Organisers to increase union density and activism throughout the Campaign.

Penny deals with politicians, Ministers and stakeholders regularly in her work as the Tenants Union of Queensland Coordinator and as SACS VP for our Union. This work took on new urgency when the very existence of TAAS was under threat.

Working with Secretary Kath Nelson and our Union office, Penny wrote detailed submissions and lobbied to successfully secure a last minute reprieve for TAAS, from the Labor Federal Government.

Penny’s work continues, as TAAS workers fight to make the State Government reinstate TAAS funding.


DELEGATE OF THE YEAR

REFLECTING ON OUR ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE SERVICES UNION’S BRANCH COUNCIL MET IN SEPTEMBER TO DISCUSS AND SET A NEW OBJECTIVE FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Reaffirmed last year, the Branch Council firstly reflected how we accomplished our last set of objectives; Visibility, Representation, Delegates and Youth. Vice Presidents (VPs) of our Industry Division Committees (IDCs) gave presentations highlighting how member and targeted action, campaigning

and organising can instigate Real Change in our workplaces and for communities.

Some highlights included the 27 Ways and Growing Initiative, the Our Queensland, Our Future Campaign, our Youth Survey, enterprise bargaining wins, investments in Workplace Delegate and Activist training and the demonstration of support of members through uncertainty and change. You can find complete details of our Union’s achievements in our Annual Operating Report on our website.

Given the current political and industrial context of Queensland and Australia, there is a prediction the values our Union stands for, and the protections we have fought to gain for members and their families and communities, will come under attack. Given this notion, Branch Councillors realised the key to our success in this environment will be the strength of our workplace leadership and the extent to which members participate in and identify with our Union.

This includes having well-organised workplaces and a network of committed members who participate

PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP - KEYS TO OUR FUTURE SUCCESS

12 REAL CHANGE |SPRING/SUMMER 2013-14 | www.theservicesunion.com.au

BRANCH COUNCIL

actively. Branch Councillors devised, that Workplace Leadership and Participation are the next steps in ensuring Real Change. To continue to build a strong union this Objective must be a focus.

In regard to Participation, we want to engage with everyone in our workplaces and the general community about: what is important to them; what is important to our members; and how these two areas intersect. We aim to build the skills of our members so all can feel confident in organising and engagement. We hope to build on the legacy of retired members by consciously involving them in our strategies. We will also adopt a multitude of innovative ways of connecting members to each other, to the union office and to the community.

Our Branch Council recommended we build the

current and next generation of workplace leaders so our Union has a strong and viable future. We will adopt targeted mentoring strategies for our new Workplace Delegates and Activists whilst encouraging them to take up formal leadership roles in our Union. It was also recommended to build workplace organising committees ensuring we have a breadth of workplace leaders in place for generational change. The Recommendations have been endorsed by our Branch Council and work has commenced developing work plans. You can read a full summary of the Objective on Page 20.

During the meeting, our Union was host to Dave Copeman from the Brisbane Alliance. Dave spoke about the connections between union and community and how to organise around this concept to enable participation. Luke Forsyth from Hall Payne Lawyers

discussed the representation of our members and the extensive services available to them via Union Law. Ben Moles and Roberta Albrecht from Energy Super also addressed Council.

During the evening, our Union celebrated the achievements of our Life Members, Allan Johnstone, Jan Kelly, Frank McFadden, Norma Perkins and Herb Snide. Congratulations!

We also acknowledged the hard work of our Delegate of the Year Nominees, David Glazier, Mark Higgin, Ronnee Meachen, Stephen Peacock, Peter Rasmussen and Lorraine Walter. Penny Carr was awarded our Delegate of the Year for her tireless campaigning in the SACS Industry. Our loyal partners Energy Super sponsored and presented Penny with her Award.

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE |SPRING/SUMMER 2013-14 | REAL CHANGE 13

BRANCH COUNCIL

MEMBERS AT SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL CONTINUE THEIR CAMPAIGN FOR FAIR TRANSITION ARRANGEMENTSThe Services Union has been working closely with members as Sunshine Coast Council goes through de-amalgamation. This has been a difficult time for affected workers and their colleagues. The uncertainty has also been magnified with Councils restructure which has been going on concurrently. Members are also concerned about the communities they live in and service provision to their community.

The Regulation stipulates up to 450 positions can be transferred to the new Noosa Council. The Transfer Manager has been on the public record recently suggesting, the new Council will not need this many. However, an absolute figure is still unknown. The number of redundancies is yet to be finalised. Our Union expects there will be a significant number of our members affected by the restructure. Council has now committed to providing workers and our Union with the consultation provisions stimpulated in the Certified Agreement. Our Union is working very closely with our members during this very trying time.

Workplace Delegate Jenny Hayne (right) said representation of workers by our Union in meetings with management has gained improvements in the process. “This includes the opportunity for affected staff to ask for their situation to be reviewed regarding personal hardship,” Jenny says “Some outcomes in this area have had favourable outcomes that would not have been possible without union consultation. Our Union has the advantage of having a network of dedicated Workplaces Delegates across our workplace. Our Workplace Delegates are trained and equipped to give advice, comfort and a sympathetic ear when required as well as communication and information gathering abilities.”

Our Union is also working with members at Rockhampton Regional Council, Cairns Regional Council and Tablelands Regional Council in regard to de-amalgamation.

ERGON

Members at Brisbane City Council (BCC) recently voted in favour for the proposed Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 8 (EBA8). It was a very long campaign for members and they are to be congratulated for their efforts and participation. In these negotiations, the outcomes sought by Council and its workers were very far apart, making the process a difficult one. Workplace Delegates worked tirelessly representing their colleagues and were stoic in their resolve to see the best possible outcome occur.

Vice President of our BCC Industry Division Committee (IDC) Margaret Evans (pictured above front left) said members were very active in letting Council management know how they felt. “Once Council’s final offer was on the table, our members made it very clear they were prepared to take protected industrial action to get a better outcome. As the negotiations continued, there was a definite feeling members were standing together and were willing to advocate to protect their conditions.”

Margaret says although there were a couple of outcome disappointments, overall members were happy with what they collectively achieved. “This EBA took a lot of time and effort to negotiate and the outcome was acceptable, far better than it could have been. We did not have to go to arbitration, where we could have faced greater losses in conditions. The whole process really highlighted how important it is to have a strong union to give a collective voice to workers in negotiations over pay and conditions.”

Ergon Energy has started its consultation for Phase Two of the restructure of Asset Management. Ergon has announced 17 positions will be cut in the change from the old to the new structure. Our Union has already met with Ergon’s management and other union parties in relation to the restructure and is continuing to do so to ensure our members are represented. Ergon has started the implementation of Phase Two will occur on 1 November 2013 after the consultation period.

BCC DELEGATES MEETING DURING THE EBA8 NEGOTIATIONS

BCC MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOUR OF EBA8

SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE CAMPAIGNED FOR TRANSPARENCY AROUND DE-AMALGAMATION

ERGON UPDATE - ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE IN ASSET MANAGEMENT


INDUSTRY NEWS

JETSTAR - RESPECT OUR WORK CAMPAIGN

TOWNSVILLE ACTIONOn Wednesday, 28 August 2013, we officially opened the newly renovated Townsville Office at 485 Flinders Street West (pictured below). Many members familiar with the old office simply will not recognise it post the makeover. The Services Union is now very visible on Flinders Street West, updated with our new branding and signage. The office acts as a base for our Townsville organisers along with administrative support and now has a modern meeting room which Workplace Delegates can use for local committee and campaign meetings.

Our Union also hosted Workplace Delegates Training in Townsville during August. Our Fundamentals Training is focused on providing a skills-based introduction to mapping, questioning, listening, and one-to-one recruitment conversations. The aim of the course is to provide Workplace Delegates with

the opportunity to practise these skills firstly in training and then in the workplace.

Our Union also launched our Youth Survey at Townsville City Council (pictured below). In line with our Branch Objectives a particular emphasis has been placed on engaging young workers to become part of our Union’s story. We look forward to hearing what members think.

The negotiations for new Enterprise Agreements at Aurizon are still proving difficult. With Aurizon keen to cut back on many members’ basic conditions and entitlements, there is no easy way forward. Rather than justifying why such changes are necessary, Aurizon frequently wants our Union to justify why ‘age old’ conditions need to remain. Progress still continues, however the rate of member participation in this conversation would increase if management chose to back down on their plan to make such widespread cuts.

YOUTH SURVEY AT GLADSTONE PORT AUTHORITY

QR - UPDATEFollowing the significant corporate changes made to Queensland Rail (QR) by the State Government several months ago, there has been a sense of uncertainty as to what further changes may occur. There are signs in some work areas that contracting out of duties and tasks once done by QR staff has started to increase, but other concerns, such as the introduction of forced redundancies, have not yet been confirmed.

In other news, QR will soon commence negotiations with members for new Agreements. The Traincrew Agreement is finalised. Negotiations for five other Agreements are also scheduled to commence by early November. This will leave only Train Control and Station Operations to commence negotiations in 2014.

THANK YOU - NIKKI BURRELLThe Services Union would like to thank former Vice President (VP) of our North Queensland Clerical and Administrative Industry Division Committee (IDC), Nikki Burrell (pictured below), who recently stepped down from her position on our Branch Executive. Nikki has been a long time member of our Union and a strong campaigner and advocate for the working rights of members in North Queensland. We thank Nikki, who remains a member of our Union, for her tireless work and commitment. Lorraine Walter has been elected as the new VP of our NQ IDC and our Executive Congratulations to Lorraine, who you can read more about on Page 17.

Our Youth Survey ran at Gladstone Port Authority in August. It is an important tool and will be used to ascertain what young people think about unions generally. The results are being collated presently and will help our Union develop our future campaign, recruitment and engagement with younger workers at the Port. With 31 per cent of new members falling into the Youth Category over the last 12 months, this Survey is very important and we look forward to finalising the results and planning our Union strategies.

AURIZON UPDATE

Members at Jetstar overwhelmingly recently endorsed the Log of Claims for the upcoming Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 5 (EBA5) negotiations. The Claim was developed after extensive consultation with members through surveys and feedback from Workplace Delegates. It is the basis for members’ ‘Respect Our Work Campaign.’

The Claim is a comprehensive set of issues which reflect the significant contribution members make to every aspect of Jetstar’s operations. These include: wage and superannuation increases; consultation around the use of temporary, casual and fixed term employees; and improvements to the classification structure to reflect the current skills for particular jobs, including the insertion of increments for years of service. To keep up-to-date with the Campaign, please visit our website www.theservicesunion.com.au

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE |SPRING/SUMMER 2013-14 | REAL CHANGE 15

INDUSTRY NEWS

Georgia (daughter of member Jenny Stewart) who was top of her class in Business Studies and Art at high school, has started on the path to becoming a Veterinarian. Georgia is currently studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University and will use her $750 Bursary to purchase costly textbooks for next semester. Georgia is very grateful for the Bursary as it helps pursue her life-long fascination with animals whilst independently providing her with learning materials. “While growing up, I was lucky enough to have been surrounded by animals. They really fascinated me, and the still do; their anatomy and behaviour, and their health and diseases. Most people say they love the atmosphere of university, and it is totally different from school. However, I actually like the learning the most. The lecturers are great as I get to learn so many new things. It’s incredible! I have been able to learn some amazing animal handling skills already. I love it,” Georgia says. “Winning the Bursary from The Services Union means a lot to me. I have never been very independent and I am still depending on others. However, this Bursary will help me to break away from this. I am very grateful to have received this Bursary from The Services Union.”

GEORGIA SPENCERGEORGIA WINS BURSURY AND HOPES TO HELP ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL AS A VET

Jordan (son of member Darren Raetz) is studying a Bachelor of Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology. Jordan attended Redcliffe State High School and performed very well in Maths, Science and Engineering Technology Studies. “I did a subject called Engineering Technology Studies. As time went on, I became fonder of that class, so Engineering seemed like a suitable choice for a university degree,” he says. Being awarded the Bursary was a very welcomed surprise. Jordan will use his to purchase textbooks, stationery and pay for transport. “Winning the Bursary was a surprise to me, and a nice one at that. I was pretty shocked at how much it costs to travel and eat on a weekly basis, without even considering the prices of textbooks. It gives me some breathing room,” Jordan says. Jordan was prepared for higher education by supportive high school teachers. “I had great teachers all around, but it was really in Maths, Science and Engineering Technology Studies classes I understood everything required and enjoyed it the most thanks to the teachers’ connections with me,” he says. So far, Jordan has really enjoyed university and looks forward to successfully getting a job as a Civil Engineer. This will allow him to travel the world whilst designing structures globally.

JORDAN RAETZFUTURE CIVIL ENGINEER, BURSARY WINNER JORDAN HOPES TO TRAVEL THE WORLD BY DESIGN

Saffi (daughter of member Alison Wheeler) completed her studies at Clontarf Beach State High School, excelling in Geography, Modern History and English. She is now at university studying a double degree in Journalism and Law. “I think I would really like to work as a journalist at either a magazine, community newspaper or radio station. I always liked the Humanities subjects at school and I enjoy writing.” Saffi, a lover of the outdoors and exploring, is using the double degree to help her figure out what she really wants to work towards. “I really loved playing hockey whilst I was in high school. I also still enjoy the outdoors, participating in activities such as camping and bushwalking. I also really love travelling and visiting new places. I have never been absolutely sure of what I want to do but feel a double degree is a good start to help me discover it.” Saffi has really enjoyed the freedom of university and this Bursary has allowed her to concentrate on the many positives of learning. “I love learning about new things and meeting lots of motivated, interesting people. The Bursary has been so helpful and I really appreciate it,” Saffi says. “I am saving it for university travel costs, textbooks and to use it for costs involved with placements and internships.”

SAFFI KEREZSYHUMANITIES STUDENT SAFFI TAKES ON A DOUBLE DEGREE TO DISCOVER HER FUTURE AFTER BURSARY WIN

16 REAL CHANGE | SUMMER/SPRING 2013-14 | www.theservicesunion.com.au

STUDENT BURSARY WINNERS

“I’m a Community Development Officer with Moreton Bay Regional Council and spend my time working across the region supporting community organisations. I see all of my work colleagues from Council as members of an amazing and inspirational team. I have been a member of our Union for around 10 years, ever since I started working at Council. I personally find the negotiation of Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBA) and the relevant employment conditions quite complex and feel more confident that fairer outcomes are achieved by having our Union to support us. In my role, I like to encourage everyone to achieve greater professional outcomes for themselves and for Council. It is fantastic what can be achieved when we all work together. Our Union is always ready to help if the relationship between the employee and Council becomes strained. I know we can accomplish so much more as a collective. Persistence, flexibility and good humour are needed to reach this goal. Real Change is achieving an improvement to employment conditions, other people thought was unachievable, through collaborative effort. I hope I can be a person who sees alternative outcomes as a realistic possibility.”

JACQUELINEPEDERSENJACQUELINE AIMS TO UNITE WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE CHANGE IN HER WORKPLACE

“I’m a social work graduate and have working in the community sector for a few years. I was attracted to my sector as I have a strong interest in social justice and empowering those in the community without a voice. I currently work at the Mental Health Association Australia as a clinician. I joined our Union because I wanted to defend and improve our working conditions as well as continue the role our Union plays in ensuring quality services reach those who need them. The Equal Pay Campaign is a perfect example of how the two are linked. If our work is undervalued, then we are not going to get the funding we need to ensure that both workers and the community benefit. I experienced the power of the collective when I attended the mass rallies against WorkChoices. The Equal Pay and Anti-WorkChoices Campaigns highlighted the potential power of workers when we organise collectively. Real Change is workers’ power. I am inspired to make a difference when I remember the historic gains our union movement has made for workers. The 27 Ways and Growing Initiative highlights the gains we have made and make me reflect on those who have fought for the conditions we have now. I wish to be a Real Change maker who listens and acts alongside others to improve the lives of all.”

DOMINIC HALEDOMINIC IS AN EMPOWERER OF CHANGE IN HIS WORKPLACE AND A VOICE TO HIS COMMUNITY

“I started my working life in banks and I have been a union member since 1975. When I started, the older staff decided to put forward a proposal we should receive five weeks holiday in Mackay as the cut off for the Northern region was just across the river. We voted to go out on strike leading into a weekend to achieve our goal. Even though we did not win, I took note, as a collective, we had nothing to fear. After many years in banking, I took maternity leave, then returned to work at Armaguard in 1987. It was very hard with fellow employees not interested in the collective. This was a different experience for me. However, without union members prepared to take action, it was hard to achieve a decent outcome. We did have one good outcome when we made a push for the next Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with pay the main issue. We had signed up nearly all staff and were prepared to take strike action. Management could not believe we were serious and they conceded. We had won. A Real Change maker is someone who is willing to put themselves out there, who strives to make a difference to improve our working conditions. When the ASU Northern Branch amalgamated with The Services Union I saw it as an opportunity for us to have a bigger voice.”

LORRAINE WALTERLORRAINE IS THE NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF OUR NQ ADMIN IDC AND EXECUTIVE MEMBER


CHANGE MAKERS


ANNA STEWART MEMORIAL PROJECT

In August 2013, we hosted United Voice member Leah Malzard and Michelle McDonald, a member of The Services Union, during the annual Anna Stewart Memorial Project. Both Leah and Michelle spent a week with their union and a week with another.

The Project has run since 1984 through most Trades and Labor Councils to increase women’s involvement in the union movement. Women from diverse workplaces and occupations experience life at their union and other unions. Anna Stewart was a journalist and active Victorian official from 1974 to 1983. She successfully spear-headed the first blue collar union campaign for maternity leave award provisions, and amongst other things, initiated campaigns which recognised sexual harassment as an industrial issue.

For early childcare educator Leah, being a part of the Project was empowering. “I learnt being in a union is about more than signing your name at the bottom of a membership form, it’s about getting out

there and supporting your industry,” she says.

Marketing Officer Michelle (who spent her second week at MEAA) says she was surprised to discover unions do things differently. “I spent time with organisers, observing a hearing and sitting in on enterprise bargaining,” Michelle says. “I was surprised to discover, while there are common objectives, unions approach bargaining and collective action in different ways. I learnt this is shaped by the industries each cover.”

Leah is already a very active union member, but feels even more inspired after participating in the Project. “To make change everybody needs to be doing something and working together. It’s about making some personal sacrifices because it’s too important not to participate.”

Michelle encourages female members of our Union to consider participating in future Projects. “Being a part of the Project’s continuing legacy has been a privilege and I’m especially grateful to the other

women unionists who shared the experience with me,” she says. Leah agrees. “The greatest thing I will take away is the friendship from the amazing women and teams from both unions.”

ABOVE: MEMBER OF THE SERVICES UNION MICHELLE MCDONALD (LEFT) AND LEAH MALZARD (RIGHT) FROM UNITED VOICE EXPERIENCED LIFE IN THE UNION MOVEMENT DURING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE

ANNA STEWART MEMORIAL PROJECT HELD DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST. BELOW: LEAH AND MICHELLE RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES FROM SENATOR CLAIRE MOORE

LEAH AND MICHELLE GET INTO THE UNION GROOVE


OUR PARTNERS

Our Union is run effectively, in accordance with its rules and appropriate legislation and regulations.

New regulatory arrangements have required that our Union adopts some new practices and procedures and that those involved in Union decision-making – particularly around finances, to which we are required to provide training for and the establishment of registers which are published on our website, www.theservicesunion.com.au

Our Union is well advanced in making all of the necessary arrangements to ensure these legislative provisions are met.

Our Union operates through two separate entities under both the Industrial Relations Act 1999 (Queensland) and the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act.

Both systems require an annual audit and financial reports which must be filed with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) and Fair Work Australia (FWA) respectively.

These audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements of those Acts and

general audit standards. Our officers are now also required to provide statements of interests which details their assets and interests and we are required to maintain a range of registers.

The financial reports of the Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees and the Queensland Services and Northern Administrative Branch of the ASU are available to members on the website under Annual Operating Reports.

The ASU National Union Financial Reports are also available on the ASU National Union website www.asu.asn.au.

Reports for both entities of our Union are available to members on the Services Union website, www.theservicesunion.com.au

OUR UNION GOVERNANCE AND NEW LEGISLATION BY NEIL HENDERSON

OUR UNION IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT IT IS WELL GOVERNED SO THAT IT CAN ADEQUATELY PERFORM ITS ROLE OF PROTECTING AND IMPROVING THE INTERESTS OF OUR MEMBERS IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY POSSIBLE.

BRANCH OBJECTIVES

PREAMBLEGiven the current political and industrial context of Queensland and Australia we predict that the values that our union stands for, and the protections we have fought to gain for our members and their families and communities, will come under attack. The key to our success in this environment will be the strength of our workplace leadership and the extent to which members participate in and identify with our union. Having well organised workplaces and a network of committed members who participate actively in our union will be the key to our success. If we aim to be a strong, democratic union where workplace leadership and member participation is our focus the next steps to achieving Real Change are:

PARTICIPATIONWe want to engage with everyone in our workplaces and the general community about what’s important to them and what’s important to our members and how these two areas intersect.• In our conversations we will consciously listen to

and engage with workers and the community about what is important to them.

• We will build the skills within our Union so that our members, delegates and activists feel confident in workplace and community organising and engagement.

• We will build on the legacy of our retired members by consciously involving them in our strategies.

• We will adopt a multitude of innovative ways of connecting members to each other, to the union office and reaching out to the community in order to facilitate engagement and participation.

LEADERSHIPWe will consciously build the current and next generation of our workplace union leaders through:• Adopting a targeted delegate to new delegate

mentoring strategy; • Opening up positions for new activists and

delegates to take up formal leadership roles in our Union; and

• Building workplace organising committees that ensure we have a breadth of workplace union leaders and that cater for generational change.

THE SERVICES UNION’S BRANCH COUNCIL MET, DISCUSSED AND RECOMMENDED THE FOLLOWING TO BE ADOPTED AS OUR OBJECTIVE FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. THIS OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY OUR BRANCH EXECUTIVE.


SPECIAL REPORT

DO YOU NEED A TDT IN YOUR WILL?

THE USE OF A TESTAMENTARY DISCRETIONARY TRUST (TDT) AS PART OF YOUR ESTATE PLANNING STRATEGY CAN PROVIDE TAXATION AND SECURITY BENEFITS FOR YOUR FAMILY.

A TDT is a trust contained in a Will where the trustee has the discretion about both whom they pay trust funds amongst the beneficiaries that you have nominated and the amount (if any) given to each beneficiary. This discretion gives flexibility to your trustee so that the advantages to your beneficiaries can be maximised.

TAX MINIMISATIONThe minimization of tax is a major advantage of a TDT. Children are taxed as adults under a TDT, so each child has a tax free threshold of $18,200. They are also entitled to a low income allowance. TDT’s take advantage of this increased threshold and can be used to make scarce funds go a lot further. For example: Imagine a surviving spouse with three children under the age of 18 years. The spouse earns $60,000 per annum and the estate of $1million is invested earning five per cent or $50,000.

In a traditional Will, where everything is left directly to the spouse, the spouse would earn a total of $110,000 per annum and pay $28,647 in tax leaving $81,353 to spend. However, if the spouse was to have the advantage of a TDT, the income from the estate could be shared with the children and the total tax paid would be:

SPOUSE: $60,000 - TAX $11,047.00CHILDREN: $16,667 EACH - TAX $ 0.00TOTAL TAX: $11,047.00 Whilst every situation is different, in this example, there would be an annual saving of $17,600 in tax. Rather than having $81,353 to spend the bereaved family would now have $98,953 after tax using a TDT.

SECURITY AGAINST CREDITORSAnother advantage of TDT’s is that they provide a way to protect hard earned assets against creditors. This is because creditors are unable to access the assets of the trust. This protects beneficiaries in the case of a bankruptcy.

FAMILY COURTThe TDT will also provide some protection in the event of a matrimonial dispute relating to one of the beneficiaries.

ASSET PROTECTIONA TDT can also protect your assets so that they are only used for your spouse and children and not distributed to others if your spouse re-partners. It can be a sensible precaution to make sure your hard earned assets go to those people that you worked for.

If you would like further information concerning TDT’s or any estate planning issue, specific to your situation, please contact Services Connect on 07 3844 5300 to arrange your referral to Hall Payne Lawyers. Please visit www.hallpayne.com.au


SPECIAL REPORT FROM HALL PAYNE LAWYERS

Congratulations to member Ron Degenhart from Townsville City Council, another winner

in our Do It Direct (DID) Campaign. Ron won an iPad2 courtesy of our partner ME Bank.

IT PAYS TO MAKE THE SWITCH

Ron decided to start paying his membership fees by Direct Debit because of the changes in legislation which meant he was no longer able to pay his union membership by payroll deduction. “When this was about to happen, it was enough for me to make the switch,” Ron explained.

Ron encourages all other members of The Services Union who are still paying their dues by payroll deduction to make the switch too. “You don’t want to be caught out before this facility ceases at your workplace,” Ron said.

Ron was presented with his iPad 2 by our Acting Secretary Jennifer Thomas and ME Bank’s Business and Development Manager Peter Jones (pictured left with Ron recently at the opening of our refurbished Townsville Office.

“When I received the phone call informing me I was the winner of an iPad2, it was very unexpected,” Ron said. “I am now using it all the time.”

Visit our Union’s website at www.theservicesunion.com.au for further details on how to make the switch to Direct Debit or contact Services Connect on 07 3844 5300

To find out more about ME Bank’s fairer banking please visit www.mebank.com.au

DO IT DIRECT IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REAL CHANGE MAGAZINE

OPT-IN TO RECEIVEREAL CHANGE MAGAZINE IN PRINTAs part of your membership to The Services Union, all members receive online newsletters and our journal, Real Change Magazine. Real Change Magazine is currently sent out to most members in the post as a printed version.

Members also currently read Real Change Magazine as an online flipbook which is easily accessible on our website, www.theservicesunion.com.au

Since the launch of our new website over 12 months ago, we have had positive feedback from members expressing they prefer to read Real Change Magazine online as opposed to receiving a hard copy.

In doing so, many members have expressed their desire to be more environmentally responsible.

We are now giving members the choice to continue receiving Real Change Magazine as a printed copy in the mail.

If you would like to continue receiving Real Change Magazine in this format, you are most welcome to do so.

It’s easy to let us know. Please follow these simple steps.

VIA OUR WEBSITE: 1. Please visit our website www.theservicesunion.com.au and Log in.2. If you have not logged in before, please click on the ‘LOGIN’ button at the top right hand corner of the home page. Please enter your MEMBERSHIP NUMBER

as your username and your last name in CAPITAL letters as your password. You will be prompted to change these details to your own personal password. Please follow the prompts.

3. Once you have logged in you will automatically be welcomed to our website.4. Click the Update Your Details menu. At the bottom of the Your Details page, you will find a statement, indicating a wish to OPT-IN.5. Please tick the box if you wish to receive Real Change Magazine as a print version in the mail.6. Please go through the rest of the form ensuring your details are correct.7. Click the SAVE button on the third page.

VIA EMAIL:You can also email a short message to our Membership Team [email protected] indicating you would like to opt-in receiving a printed version of Real Change Magazine in the mail. Alternatively, please fill out the form below, scan and email to [email protected]

VIA FAX OR MAIL: Please fill out the form below and fax or mail back the red box below. Address details are on the form.

VIA TELEPHONE: Call Services Connect on 07 3844 5300 (please choose Option 2) to inform our Membership Team.

If you do choose to OPT-IN, please let us know by close of business Friday, 13 December 2013. From 2014, all members with a valid email address, will receive an email alert with a link to the online Real Change Magazine Flipbook. It is published in March and September. Members who have made the choice to receive a printed copy by the above closing date, will also receive this in the mail. If at any time in the future you change your mind, please contact our Membership Team.

I WISH TO OPT IN TO RECEIVE REAL CHANGE MAGAZINE AS A PRINTED VERSION IN THE MAIL

Name:

Membership Number:

Please fax back to The Services Union (Attention: Membership Team): 07 3846 5046

Please mail to The Services Union (Attention: Membership Team): PO Box 3347, South Brisbane, QLD 4101

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REAL CHANGE MAGAZINE

real change magazine spring/summer 2013/14

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