THE AUSTRALASIAN MEAT INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES’ UNION, QUEENSLAND BRANCH, FUNERAL AND MORTALITY BENEFIT SCHEME

 

 

NAME

 

This scheme shall be called “THE AUSTRALASIAN MEAT INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES’ UNION, QUEENSLAND BRANCH, FUNERAL AND MORTALITY BENEFIT SCHEME” .

 

OBJECT

 

The object of this scheme is to provide a small financial benefit for members and their families upon the death of a member or a member’s spouse.  The benefit shall be paid within a reasonable time so as to help with the cost of the funeral and other similar expenses and shall only be available to financial members. 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

“Committee of Management” is the peak body of the AMIEU as defined in clause 47.13 of the Rules of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union.

 

“Secretary” is the QLD Branch Secretary of the AMIEU as defined in the Rules of the AMIEU.  If the QLD Branch Secretary of the AMIEU is unavailable to perform the duties as outlined in this scheme, the Assistant Secretary of the AMIEU shall be authorised to perform the duties of Secretary.

 

“Marriage type relationship” shall mean a relationship between two people that has the characteristics and the appearance of a marriage.

 

“State Executive” is the State Executive of the AMIEU as defined in clause 47.15 of the Rules of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union.

 

“Union Official” shall include a district organiser or authorised works official as elected from time to time.

 

ENTITLEMENT FOR MEMBERS

 

1             Upon the death of a financial member, a benefit of $1,500.00 is payable to that member’s nominated person.  The benefit is only payable if the deceased member was financial at the time of their death.  The benefit is not payable on the death of an honorary or life member.

 

2             Members shall advise the Secretary of the Union, in writing, of their preferred nominated person.  The Union shall keep a copy of this nomination.  If a member wishes to change their nominated person, they must, in writing, notify the Secretary of any such change.

 

3             If a member does not provide the Union with their preferred nominated person, the benefit shall be payable to the deceased member’s spouse or de-facto, next of kin or estate, discretion of which shall depend on the individual circumstances and shall lie with the Secretary.

 

ENTITLEMENT FOR SPOUSES OR DE-FACTO SPOUSES OF MEMBERS

 

4             A benefit of $500.00 is also available to financial members upon the death of their spouse or de-facto.  The benefit is only payable where the spouse or de-facto was living in a marriage type relationship with the financial member at the time of their death. The benefit is not payable on the death of a child or any other member of the member’s family.

 

5             If a member and their spouse or de-facto are both members of the Union and one of them dies in Australia or New Zealand, the other member will be entitled to both the member and spouse benefit of $1,500 and $500 respectively, provided that the limitations, as set out in clauses 6 - 9 below, are met.

 

LIMITATIONS ON PAYMENT OF BENEFIT

 

6             A benefit will not be paid if a member joined the Union after that member or their spouse was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

 

7             For the purpose of this benefit, a member will not be deemed to be financial if a payment in arrears is made after that member or their spouse has deceased.

 

8             A member will not be deemed unfinancial should they be unable to pay their dues because of the illness which eventually caused their death.

 

9             A member or their nominated person is only entitled to a benefit under this scheme if their claim is received by the Secretary within 12 months of that member or their spouse’s death.  Any entitlement to a benefit under this scheme shall cease after this 12 month period.

 

CLAIM PROCESS

 

10          The scheme is designed to make payment to the member or their nominated person as quickly as is practicable.  To increase the likelihood of the prompt payment of benefits, the Secretary shall be authorised to make payment of the benefit.

 

11          Upon a death, a member or their nominated person can contact a Union official with a request to obtain this benefit.  The official shall then contact the Secretary.

 

12          Upon acknowledgement of the death, the Secretary shall authorise payment to the member or nominated person, via cheque, from the ”AMIEU funeral and mortality fund.”

 

13          The Secretary is authorised to investigate any claim for this benefit and can request any information necessary to satisfy himself/herself of the veracity of any claim. 

 

14          The Secretary shall also be responsible for deciding if a spouse or de-facto was living in a marriage type relationship with the member at the time of death.

 

15          The Secretary must report any benefit paid under this scheme to the quarterly Branch Executive and annually to the Committee of Management.

 

16          Any decisions by the Branch Secretary may be reviewed, upon request, to the Committee of Management  or the Branch Executive.  The Committee of Management or the Branch Executive may then choose to uphold or overturn any decision made by the Secretary under this scheme.  However, the decision of the Committee of Management will be final.

 

ADMINISTRATION OF FUND

 

17          The benefit shall be fully funded from monies set aside in a separate bank account entitled the “AMIEU Funeral and Mortality Fund.”

 

18          Whilst it is not anticipated, the scheme may require ongoing support from the general funds from time to time.  In such circumstances, the Branch Executive may approve the provision of additional funds.

 

19          This account shall be audited yearly as part of the Union’s annual end of financial year audit.  This audit shall be published as per the legislative requirements of Workplace Relations Act (Cth) 1996.

 

DATE OF COMMENCEMENT

 

20          This scheme shall commence on 1 July 2008.

 

TERMINATION OF FUND

 

21          The scheme is subject to review and alteration or termination as determined by the Queensland Branch Committee of Management.

 

22          If the scheme is terminated by the Committee of Management all monies contained in the AMIEU Funeral and Mortality Fund shall be transferred to the AMIEU general accounts, unless otherwise authorised by the Committee of Management.