NOTICES

NEW UNION RATES

As at 1 January 2002, the Base Rate of Union Dues are as follows:

Division One

Weekly Rate: $12.40; quarterly:$161.25; half yearly:$322.50; yearly:$645.00

Division Two

Weekly Rate: $15.38; quarterly: $200.00; half yearly: $400.00; annually:$800.00

Division Three

Weekly Rate: $16.48; quarterly: $214.25; half yearly:$428.50; yearly: $857.00

Division Four

Weekly Rate: $17.79; quarterly: $231.25; half yearly: $462.50; yearly: $925.00

Division Five

Weekly Rate: $18.27; quarterly: $237.50; half yearly: $475.00; yearly: $950.00

Division Six

Weekly Rate: $20.29; quarterly:$263.75, half yearly: $527.50, yearly:$1,055.00

Division Seven:

Weekly Rate: $8.27; quarterly: $107.50; half yearly: $215.00; yearly: $430.00

Division Eight

Weekly Rate: $5.96; quarterly:$77.50, half yearly: $155.00; yearly: $310.00

Division Nine

Weekly Rate: $4.13; quarterly: $53.75; half yearly: $107.50; yearly: $215.00

Division 10

Rate Now $2.60 per shift.

Division 11

Weekly Rate: $4.90; quarterly: $63.75; half yearly:$127.50; yearly: $255.00

Division 12

Rate now $3.54 per shift

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WHARFIE & WRITER

Post graduate student and writer Jennifer Rumsey is doing a biography of award winning writer and Melbourne wharfie John Morrison for her PhD at Sydney University.

But Rumsey has not met anyone who worked with him on the wharves in Melbourne in the decade after 1938 and asks members to contact her with any information.

"If anyone remembers him and would like to have a chat about John they are welcome to phone me or drop me a line."

John Morrison won the Patrick White Award in 1986 and an Order of Australia in 1989. Penguin have published three collections of his short stories.

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XMAS BONUS

Membership of your union can deliver services and benefits for your life away from the workplace. The ACTU, the union movement's peak body, delivers a range of products and services at preferential prices.

ACTU Member Connect was established to provide union members with services that add real value to union membership and save you money. ACTU Member Connect is 100% owned by Australian unions and operates on a not-for-profit basis.

Virtual Communities offer a range of desktop and laptop computers at affordable prices. The basic package starts from as little as $9.99 a week, making these the best value computer packages around. For more information call 131 789 or visit www.virtualcommunities.com.au

The ACTU Wine Club is ideal for those friends and relatives who like the odd drop or pick up your own selection for the upcoming festivities. Select great quality wines at discounted prices and pay no joining fee and be under no obligation to keep purchasing. Contact Winemakers Choice on 8748 8336 (Sydney) or 1800 252 656 (Outside Sydney) or go online at www.winemakerschoice.com.au

If you've found the ideal Christmas present but you're not sure if it's the best price, call Union Shopper with the make, model number and the price and within 24 hours you'll hear back from a consultant who will advise you of the best price available at the time. Call 1300 368 117 or go to www.unionshop.org.au

You and the kids can go to the latest movies during the holidays and save over $4 off the price of cinema tickets. Union members can access ACTU discounted movie tickets from *$8.50 (Adult) or *$6.50 (Children). Tickets are available from participating unions, so contact your union to find out more (*these prices may vary slightly due to administration fees).

Member Connect provides other great services that help save you money.

The ACTU Financial Adviser's Network consists of over 120 advisers from 15 dealers, providing you with a choice of financial planners nationwide.

All ACTU endorsed financial planners undergo independent due diligence and are committed to the needs of working people. They offer advice on redundancy, investment, saving for retirement, superannuation, inheritance and other financial advice to meet your current situation. Your union membership entitles you to an initial cost free and obligation free consultation. To find an adviser near you go to www.memberconnect.com.au or call 1300 362 223 and ask for a Financial Advisers Directory.

Super Members' Home Loans by Members Equity offers home loans with no application fees, no ongoing account keeping fees, no fees to split your loan and mobile lenders available at your convenience. Plus, the SMHL interest rate is always competitive. Call them on 1300 654 990 or go online at www.membersequity.com.au

Member Connect offers two credit cards:

The ACTU National Visa Credit Card is the only card that benefits you and your union. Just Call 131 312.

The Virtual Communities/St George MasterCard offers 10.99% p.a. cutting up to 1/3 off your interest. To apply phone 133 789.

If you would like more information about any of the above mentioned products and services, please visit www.memberconnect.com.au or call 1300 362 223.

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TAFFY'S GANG

Did you know the late Gerry Mangion? He worked at the Port of Sydney about 1954-1964 and was a member of Taffy's gang (no 177) for a while. Gerry, medal number 2446, lived at 51 Alinga Street, Cabramatta.

If you worked with Gerry or know someone who did, please contact Ken Fowlie of Slater & Gordon on (02) 8267 0607.

Gerry had lung cancer and his family have brought a claim for compensation in the Dust Diseases Tribunal.

They need your help.

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CORRECTIONS

Corrections for the article on the SERF surplus in the last MWJ are as follows: Page 9 column 2 Para 2: Supps do not get a share of the surplus; Para 4: the contribution holiday is scheduled to start January 1, 2004, not July 2003; Para 11: SERF posted a crediting rate of 6% not 6.7%

Also, the member photographed was wrongly identified as Dennis Evans. His correct name is Dennis Scott. We apologise for the errors.

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XMAS BREAK

National Office will close from midday, December 24 until January 2, 2002.

The national office of the Credit Union will also be closed until the New Year, but its branch offices will be open on all non-public holidays.

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COLUMBUS ON CANVAS

An upcoming exhibition of paintings by artist Joe Bollen includes one canvas featuring the Columbus Canada ship. This was the vessel that striking MUA workers at Patrick's wharf Port Botany protested during the lockout of 1998. It is also the same ship blockaded by the ILWU.

The is going on show in Sydney in the New Year and will be up for sale..

Artist Joe Bollen says the inspiration for this painting came from the action taken by dockside workers around Australia, captured by photographer by Dean Sewell and published in The Sydney Morning Herald on April 25 1998).

"The significant symbolism for me was the defiant stand made by the workers in their 'tinnie' flying the Eureka flag, set against the bulk and might of the massive container ship the Columbus Canada," said Bollen.

The exhibition will be held at Hardware Fine Art, 62 Mitchell St, Naremburn from Friday February 22 until Saturday March 9. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm.

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