Did you know your union members are automatically eligible for your union's Union Plus benefits from Union Privilege? Make sure you and your members know about these programs - and start using them today!

ABOUT UNION PRIVILEGE

1. Who is Union Privilege? And, what is the difference between Union Plus and Union Privilege?
2. Do union member dues support Union Privilege?
3. How many Union Plus benefits are there and what are they?
4. Where can I find information about the different types of Union Plus programs and the services they include?

ELIGIBILITY

5. Who is eligible for the benefits?
6. How do union members join Union Plus?
7. Do my members need to have the Union Plus Credit Card to use the other Union Plus benefits, such as the discounts?
8. I've heard that I can't participate in some of the Union Plus programs. Why doesn't my union offer all the Union Plus benefits?
9. You offer valuable benefits, but I'm not a union member. How can I join or start a union?
10. I'm not sure what my international union name is. Can you help?
11. I live in Canada. What Union Plus programs are available in this country?

PROGRAM VALUE

12. What makes Union Plus unique?
13. What kinds of reviews have Union Plus programs gotten?
14. How do your programs help union members?
15. Just how much can my members save with Union Plus benefits?

UNION PLUS SERVICE

16. How do you handle customer service?
17. What do I do if I have a complaint?
18. I no longer wish to receive mail from Union Privilege. How do I remove my name from your list?
19. I'm a provider interested in joining one of the Union Plus programs. How can I participate?

HELPING UNIONS

20. How do Union Plus programs help my union?
21. I've heard that using benefits in organizing campaigns can be effective. How?
22. How does Union Privilege give back to the labor community?

INFORMING YOUR MEMBERS

23. What are the best ways to inform my members about the benefits?

MORE HELP FOR LEADERS

24. Where can I go for more help?

ABOUT UNION PRIVILEGE

1. Who is Union Privilege? And, what is the difference between Union Plus and Union Privilege?

   Union Privilege is the organization behind the Union Plus programs.

   In 1986, the AFL-CIO created Union Privilege to provide consumer benefits programs to union members. Union Privilege reports to a board of international union officials who guide our direction.

   We use the collective purchasing power of millions of union members to develop the Union Plus programs, which provide more quality, value and service than comparable programs available to the general public.

2. Do union member dues support Union Privilege?

   No dues money goes into the development or operation of any Union Plus program.

3. How many Union Plus benefits are there and what are they?

   Union Privilege has developed over 40 Union Plus benefits. Each international union decides which benefits it will offer to its membership.

   You can download and print a guide to your union's benefits at UnionPlus.org/PDFGuide. Or, call the leader line at 1-800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays) to find out which benefits you and your members are eligible to use.

4. Where can I find information about the different types of Union Plus programs and the services they include?

   Thanks for your interest! Keep in mind that each international union selects the Union Plus programs it participates in and offers to members.

   Select your union from the right section on the Union Plus site, then you'll see all the Union Plus benefits your union offers.

   You can also visit www.UnionPlus.org/PDFGuide for a handy, printable guide to your benefits.

ELIGIBILITY

5. Who is eligible for the benefits?

   Current and retired union members are automatically eligible for their union's Union Plus benefits.

   Family members - including spouses, parents and children - are often eligible for the benefits too.

6. How do union members join Union Plus?

   There is no Union Plus membership. There is no separate sign up and no enrollment fee for the Union Plus programs.

7. Do my members need to have the Union Plus Credit Card to use the other Union Plus benefits, such as the discounts?

   No, your members do not need Union Plus Credit Cards to use the other Union Plus benefits. Union members are automatically eligible for Union Plus programs the day their union memberships begin.

8. I've heard that I can't participate in some of the Union Plus programs. Why doesn't my union offer all the Union Plus benefits?

   We are happy that you are interested in our programs! Each international union selects the Union Plus benefits it wants to participate in. If you feel you'd benefit from a program that your union doesn't offer, you may want to contact your union to express your interest. It may consider participating in more programs in the future.

   Try visiting the AFL-CIO or Change-to-Win (CTW) Web site to find your union's contact information.

9. You offer valuable benefits, but I'm not a union member. How can I join or start a union?

   Union Plus benefits are exclusively for union members. Please visit the AFL-CIO Web site for information on how and why people join unions.

10. I'm not sure what my international union name is. Can you help?

    If your international union participates in Union Plus programs, you may be able to recognize your union's name in the top right section of the site's pages. Otherwise, try checking some of the following sources below. Your international union membershipdictates which Union Plus benefits you are eligible to use.

    * What your national union's name (not just your local number)? Scroll through the list we have to see if you recognize your union.
    * What type of work do you do (select your occupation)?
    * Do you have a union member card or union publication/letter that shows the name of your union? Find something with the name of your union, not just a local number.
    * Is there a shop steward or work colleague you can ask what the name of your union is? You can even ask your human resources department to tell you the full name of your union.
    * Do you have a Union Plus Credit Card? If so, the name and logo for your international union should appear on the front of the card.

     

11. I live in Canada. What Union Plus programs are available in this country?

    Due to different laws, some benefits are not available to Canadian residents. The Union Plus car rental discounts and the Union Plus Flower Service are available to Canadian residents. For a full list of all programs you're eligible to use, please see this eligibility page.
    
    Many Canadian local unions also offer other benefits to their members. Contact your international or local union office directly to find out more. 

PROGRAM VALUE

12. What makes Union Plus unique?

    Union Privilege is the only consumer benefits organization dedicated to creating programs for union members. We report to a board of union officials who guide our direction and oversee our progress. Union Privilege also works with worker-friendly companies and regularly compares each Union Plus program's value, price and features with the competition. 

    Union Privilege's unionized staff constantly monitors the programs to ensure the program providers comply with  standards and that union members get the value and the service they deserve. And, every year, we complete a full, top-to-bottom competitive review of each program to make sure we are providing the best possible benefits to union members.
    
    We also value social responsibility, including philanthropy and supporting the labor movement.

13. What kinds of reviews have Union Plus programs gotten?

    Outside experts have recognized the programs for their service, savings and solidarity. A recent example: Gerri Detweiler, a highly respected consumer educator and advocate, calls the Union Plus Credit Card a "good guy" example that "should be the standard, not the exception" for affinity credit cards.

14. How do your programs help union members?

    We offer special assistance to union members who face financial hardship due to a layoff, strike, disability or natural disaster. Union Plus programs are not just about price savings, but also about the extra service and value members and their families receive.

15. Just how much can my members save with Union Plus benefits?

    Members could save as much as $4,000 annually! Calculate for yourself how much you or your members could save for each program at UnionPlus.org/Savings.

UNION PLUS SERVICE

16. How do you handle customer service?

    Union Privilege works with each program provider to manage customer service. We have set standards - such as how quickly calls must be answered - that each provider must meet. Plus, Union Privilege staff regularly monitor service calls to ensure that individual representatives are following procedures.

17. What do I do if I have a complaint?

    First, we recommend you contact the Union Plus program provider. Customer service information is available on all the benefits pages (see purple tabs on the benefits pages) on this site.
    
    Still need help with resolution of a problem? We realize that sometimes you may need additional help with a concern related to your Union Plus benefits. The Union Plus Member Advocacy Program, staffed by OPEIU Local 2 union members, is here to help you resolve any problems you have with a Union Plus program. Contact us at 1-800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays) or complete the Union Plus Feedback Form.
    
    If possible, please have the name or employee ID number for the Union Plus benefits provider staff member you spoke to.

18. I no longer wish to receive mail from Union Privilege. How do I remove my name from your list?

    It's quick and easy. Complete the Union Plus site registration (see right column) and you can unsubscribe from Union Plus mailings.

19. I'm a provider interested in joining one of the Union Plus programs. How can I participate?

    Providers interested in the Union Plus Health Savings program can call: 1-800-228-3523.

    Attorneys interested in the Union Plus Legal Service program can complete our convenient online recommend a lawyer form. Union members can also recommend an attorney via the same form.

HELPING UNIONS

20. How do Union Plus programs help my union?

    Union Plus offers members money-saving benefits together with the reassurance that the union is looking out for members' welfare - both on and off the job. Whether you are trying to organize new members, add more members in an open shop or keep members from leaving the union, the Union Plus benefits can help.

21. I've heard that using benefits in organizing campaigns can be effective. How?

    Benefits are a great way to attract new members - with proven results. Read how your fellow union leaders are using Union Plus benefits in organizing campaigns and recruiting more members at UnionPlus.org/Organizing. You'll also find materials to download to assist with your next campaign.

22. How does Union Privilege give back to the labor community?

    Union Privilege takes its commitment to the labor movement very seriously. Following are just a few examples of how we help support working families:

    • Since 1992, Union Privilege has awarded over $2.4 million of education scholarship money to over 1,700 union families.
    • In 2007, Union Privilege launched the Union Leaders of the Future Mentoring Program, an innovative diversity program that provides leadership mentoring and financial assistance for leadership training to women and people of color. See the Mentoring Toolkit to help your union start their own mentoring program.
    • Union Plus Disability Grants for Union Plus Credit Cardholders have already provided more than $225,000 to over 150 union members since its introduction in May 2005. The grants are for union credit cardholders who experience a significant loss of household income due to a long-term illness or prolonged disability. The $4 million trust was funded by HSBC Card and Retail Services, the provider of the credit card program, and is administered by Union Privilege.
    • The Mortgage Assistance Fund has helped more than 600 out-of-work Union Plus Mortgage holders with their mortgage payments, providing more than $3 million in no-interest loans and grants.
    • The Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund provides grants to Union Plus Credit Cardholders affected by natural disasters. In an effort unmatched by any other credit card program in the nation, the Union Plus Credit Card Disaster Relief Fund provided $400,000 to some 800 union cardholders impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
    • Free credit counseling and free consumer education information - including our two new Web sites at UnionDebtHelp.org and UnionPlusRetirement.org - have helped hundreds of union members get control of their finances, develop budgets and set plans for the future.
      
      Read more about Union Plus social responsibility, including philanthropy and supporting the labor movement.

INFORMING YOUR MEMBERS

23. What are the best ways to inform my members about the benefits?

    Here are six simple things you can do:

    1. Most importantly, we'd like YOU to USE the programs. Test them out and let us know what you think. We'll work with you on resolution, as necessary, if you run into any issues with a program provider.
        
    2. Sign up for free e-newsletters at UnionPlus.org/Enews and tell your members to visit the site too. Email is the perfect way to stay informed about all your union's benefits.
        
    3. Order free brochures and distribute them to your members - for example: at meetings, in new member welcome kits, in mailings. Place your order at UnionPlus.org/Order or call 1-800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays). At UnionPlus.org/PDFGuide, you'll find a customized PDF brochure of your union's Union Plus benefits to download, print and distribute.
        
    4. Place the two-pocket Union Plus brochure display in a high-traffic union member area - such as a lunchroom, union hall or training center. Order your free display (one for each 500 members, please) at UnionPlus.org/Order or call 1-800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays).
        
    5. Post a Union Plus link on your union's home page. Union webmasters tell us that a "Member Discounts & Benefits" section is typically the most popular section on their Web sites. Visit UnionPlus.org/Webmaster for details.
        
    6. If you have a union newsletter or other publication, place an ad or article about the benefits in it. You can find ads and articles at UnionPlusLeaders.org or call us at 1-800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays).

    And don't forget to add Union Privilege, 1100 1st Street, NE, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20002 to your mailing list. You could earn money for your union in our union publication contest! See UnionPlusLeaders.org for details.

MORE HELP FOR LEADERS

24. Where can I go for more help?

    Union Leader Line: Call 1-800-472-2005 or 202-293-5330 in Washington, DC area - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ET, Monday - Friday.
    Website: www.UnionPlusLeaders.org - includes links to free ads, articles, flyers and more.
    Email: Leaders@UnionPrivilege.org
    Address: 1100 1st Street, NE, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20002