Travel + Fun

1. Tend to your tires.
   Check your tire pressure - and check it often. Also, make sure that you have season-appropriate tires on your car.  Use your union member Union Plus Goodyear Coupon for car tune-ups and new tires, including union-made tires.

2. Stay on top of your fluids.
   Oil and coolant are the two key fluids during the summer months to keep your car cool and running smoothly. And in the winter, anti-freeze is a key fluid to monitor.

3. Give the rest of your car a once-over.
   Check the battery, belts, and hoses or have a mechanic do so before you head off on that cross country trip. Also, make sure your wipers are ready and don't forget your windshield wiper fluid.

4. Prepare an emergency kit for your car.
   Keep the number of Union Plus Motor Club - 24 Hour Emergency Automotive Roadside Assistance Plan handy.

5. Pack smart.
   Keep snacks, drinks, and sandwiches handy.

6. Load smart.
   Don't block your view with a backseat piled high and keep the weight even for maximum handling.

7. Stay awake.
   Switch drivers every few hours even if you don't think you are tired.

8. Be careful when you tow.
   Check your owner's manual to make sure your vehicle is properly equipped to handle a trailer hitch for towing campers or trailers, and that it can handle the weight.

9. Take the scenic route.
   Give yourself time to enjoy the ride.

10. Be nice.
    Use your signals. Let faster drivers pass. Don't tailgate. Share: it's not your road.

Aviation

The aviation cocktail was first crafted in New York City at the turn of the 19th century. It gets its tangy, botanic flavor from creme de violette and gin. To make this drink according to Honestly Yum’s recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 edible violet
• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
• 1/4 ounce creme de violette

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add all the liquid ingredients. Shake everything together for about 10 seconds, strain the drink into your serving glass of choice and garnish with the edible violet. Invite your friends over for some aviations and decorate using Teleflora’s Dancing Violets Bouquet.

Rose Margarita

For a floral take on classic summer favorite, look no further than the rose margarita. This cocktail, created by mixologist Junior Merino for Paste magazine, uses rose petals and rose syrup to give the traditional marg a seasonal upgrade. Make your own by grabbing the following ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila
• 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 3/4 ounce rose syrup
• 3/4 ounce orange liqueur
• Hibiscus and rose salt
• 3 organic rose petals.

To begin, prepare your margarita glass by rimming it with hibiscus and rose salt. Combine the liquid ingredients and the rose petals in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until all the ingredients are well-mixed, pour into your rimmed glass and garnish with additional petals. This drink pairs beautifully with Teleflora’s Rose Rapture Bouquet.

Bachelor’s Button Martini

As light as a feather and as frothy as a cloud, the Bachelor’s Button Martini is the perfect cocktail to nurse on a hot summer night. Assemble the following ingredients to make Anthropologie’s favorite version of this airy, floral delight:

For the cocktail:

• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• 1 1/2 ounces Lillet Blanc
• 1/4 ounce bachelor’s button simple syrup
• carnation and bachelor’s button petals.
• For the bachelor’s button simple syrup:
• 1/4 cup bachelor’s button petals
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water.

To craft this cocktail, begin by mixing the bachelor’s button syrup. To do so, add the bachelor’s button petals, sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the ingredients together as you bring the syrup to a boil and allow it to simmer. Once the sugar has dissolved completely, turn the heat down to low and cook the mixture for an additional 15 minutes. Once the syrup is cool, strain it into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice, egg white and Lillet Blanc. Shake for about 30 seconds, or until the cocktail becomes frothy and foamy. Pour the drink into a martini glass, adorn with extra petals and start sipping. For the full floral experience, imbibe these martinis alongside Teleflora’s Garden Delights arrangement.

Let us know your favorite combination below! These are only a few of our favorite summer flowers and drinks, so let your creativity take over a create one of your own. There are so many different edible flowers that you can use to create your very own summer signature meal and floral cocktail!

Check out this list of union sites around the country!

1. Pullman National Monument Site — Chicago, IL 
   Chicago may be most well known for its blustery weather, but it's also home to a rich labor history as well. The Pullman National Monument Site highlights said history with a series of monuments, museums and other important landmarks — one of which was the scene of a violent strike in the 1890s. 
   
   Fun fact: The Pullman District was the first model, planned industrial community in the United States.
    
2. Rosie the Riveter WWII National Historical Park — Richmond, CA
   It's no secret that Rosie is one of most recognizable faces of the labor movement. That said, while many people know the face, many do not know all of the history behind her. The Rosie the Riveter WWII National Historical Park aims to educate visitors on "her" significance and of the all of working women during WWII and beyond. 
   
   Fun fact: The Rosie the Riveter Trust (the nonprofit trust behind the Rosie the Riveter WWII Park) operates a free summer camp for at risk youth called Rosie's Girls. The camp is modeled "after women like Rosie" to help young women gain courage and confidence in their abilities.
    
3. Haymarket Martyrs Memorial — Chicago, IL  
   On May 4, 1866, what began as a peaceful rally to protest unfair working conditions erupted into violence after a man threw a bomb at police, resulting in injuries and deaths among both protesting workers and police officers. This memorial commemorates the defendants involved in the labor unrest of that day; aptly coined the "Haymarket Massacre."
   
   Fun fact: The monument was declared a national historic landmark on February 18, 1997.
    
4. Mother Jones Monument — Union Miners' Cemetery, Mount Olive, IL
   This 22-foot granite monument pays tribute to the achievements of Mother Jones, the woman who is credited with co-founding the Industrial Workers of the World labor union and coordinating several major strikes. 
   
   Fun fact: The Mother Jones monument is also her official burial site. 
    
5. Ludlow Monument — Ludlow, CO 
   Erected by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in 1918, the Ludlow monument pays homage to the victims of the Ludlow massacre, an event in which over 1,000 striking coal miners were attacked by the Colorado National guard and Colorado Fuel & Iron Company campguards. 
   
   Fun fact: The Victor American Hastings Mine Disaster Monument, another historical site highlighting labor history, is less than two miles away from the Ludlow monument. 
    
6. Amtrak Workers’ Memorial  — Washington, DC  
   Memorial that honors those Amtrak employees who lost their lives in performance of their duties.
   
   Fun fact: The Amtrak Workers' Memorial is located in Washington, DC's Union Station. 
    
7. Memphis Strike of 1968 Monument — Memphis, TN
   This gallery expands the story of the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike. Features exhibits and videos highlighting Rev. James Lawson and T.O. Jones, who courageously waged the battle on behalf of striking sanitation workers. 
   
   Fun fact: The iconic "I Am a Man" signs held by strikers and the garbage truck from the original exhibition can be found here. 
    
8. John L. Lewis Home – Alexandria, VA 
   American labor leader, John L. Lewis, was the founder and first president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, and helped lead strikes in the steel and automotive industries. 
   
   Fun fact: The John L. Lewis Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
    
9. Labor Hall of Honor —  Washington, DC  
   The Labor Hall of Labor was established in 1988 to honor those Americans whose distinctive contributions in the field of labor have elevated working conditions, wages, and over-all quality of life of America's working families.
   
   Fun fact: The Labor Hall of Honor is located in the Department of Labor Headquarters in Washington, DC. 
    
10. Coal Miners’ Memorial — Fairmont, WV 
    The Coal Miners' Memorial is a testament to the heritage of the Town of Richlands, Virginia. Dedicated in 2003,the memorial is a tribute to the men/women who sacrificed all they had to make a living as cola miners. 
    
    Fun fact: A small, man-made waterfall surrounds the memorial. 

Start Your Labor History Travel Adventure

Ready to start your labor history travel adventure? Before you leave town, be sure you're taking advantage of all of the Union Plus travel benefits — including savings on rental cars, information on unionized hotels and more. 

Get Your Union Plus Travel Benefits Now

Get Your UNion Plus Motor Club Benefits Now

Carrie Biggs-Adams, a San Francisco-based business representative who bargains contracts for her local union, has been part of the CWA for the past 41 years.

“Our local represents people in California and Oregon at various television stations. I sit at the negotiating table and represent people’s issues – trying to get better wages, working conditions, and economic justices for union members. We fix these issues one negotiation at a time,” she explained. “Right now I’m bargaining with a public broadcasters and a Spanish language television station.

But bargaining union contracts was not always part of Biggs-Adams career aspirations.

“I started out working as a television engineer and we went on strike six weeks after I went to work there. I was the eighth woman in a thousand men in that particular bargaining unit. Since those days, I’ve worked for 15 years on the national staff with the CWA as part of NABET,” she said.

No stranger to bargain hunting, Biggs-Adams was thrilled to learn about the savings programs available to union members through Union Plus, specifically the 25% Flowers & Gifts discount.

“I’ve been ordering floral arrangements through this program for at least 10 years and I order flowers about once per month for friends and family,” she said. “Just last week my two brothers and all of my cousins asked me to order a birthday arrangement for my aunt who is turning 97. We agreed that yellow should be the color!”

Biggs-Adams said she feels the savings are great for what she needs and she feels appreciated to receive a discount for her union affiliation.

“I love getting the discount and how the website works. I’m always able to find the perfect plant and arrangement that I’m searching for,” she told Union Plus. “I know that when I order flowers, whether they’re Easter flowers or birthday flowers, they’re going to get there on time.”

Order beautiful flower arrangements and gift baskets through Teleflora and make someone’s day. Flowers are perfect for birthdays and holidays, and is a lovely way to say, "Get well," "Thank you!” or “Congrats.” Union members can save 25% on all Teleflora flowers and GiftTree gift baskets.

Order online or call 888-667-7779 and use promo code BLUP25  to place your order today.

Valentine’s Day has typically been regarded as a day for people in love to celebrate together, but that’s not the only way to do it! Valentine’s Day is also the perfect opportunity to express love in all forms – not just romantic. If you’re at a loss thinking of Valentine’s Day gifts for your family, here are a few ideas to let each loved one know how much you appreciate them:

Valentine’s Day Gift for Young Kids

Valentine’s Day crafts are a great way to celebrate the holiday with your young kids. Take the time as a family to decorate valentines for everyone in your child’s class as opposed to store-bought cards. When it comes to giving your children a Valentine’s Day present, you can’t go wrong with something small, like a stocking stuffer.  Another great option is a larger craft project to keep the kids busy on any snow days or cold winter weekends. We still have a few more months of bad weather to get through until school is out!

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Grown Up Children

If your kids are long moved out, you can surprise them by sending something in the mail! By Valentine’s Day, it’s probably been a couple of months since they’ve gotten to come home and visit, so they’d love to know you’re thinking of them. Consider baking a batch of cookies or cupcakes and mailing them to your child at school or in another state or surprise him or her with a bouquet of flowers. Teleflora’s Swirling Heart Bouquet is a great option to brighten up their room or desk!

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Parents

Your parents have done a lot for you over the years, treating them whenever you get the opportunity isn’t a bad idea! It’s a great time to surprise them with a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift – especially if it’s something that they can enjoy together. Consider sending your parents a gift card to their favorite restaurant or movie theater so they can have a night out together, or a bottle of wine to enjoy during a night in. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a Together at Twilight Bouquet, either. This subdued arrangement comes in a variety of purple shades – perfect for mantle decor!

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Siblings

Siblings are your partners-in-crime from birth, so why not surprise them with a Valentine’s Day gift? It’s always nice to get a nostalgic gift that is something the two of you shared, but also consider getting something you know they would never buy themselves. Both these options will make sure you make their day extra special. If he/she isn’t in a serious relationship or never get flowers for Valentine’s Day, send a Hugs and Kisses Bouquet with Red Roses right to the office so he/she can indulge in the traditions of the holiday for once. Plus, siblings like to embarrass each other, so why not show off how much you love them with a big display of affection? It’s a surefire way to get them to smile.

While Valentine’s Day seems like it is only meant for romantic relationships, it can actually be celebrated with anyone who is special to you. It’s the perfect day to remind loved ones how much they mean to you with thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts!

The different types of travel insurance and what they cover

Montezuma's revenge? Broke your arm bicycling through the Swiss Alps? Wear your travel misfortunes like badges of honor -- your friends will call you a hero just for coming home alive.

As for the financial details of your troubles while on the road, that's the job of travel insurance. If you need to cancel or interrupt your trip, or if you become ill during your journey, travel insurance will reimburse you for the expenses you incur due to your bad luck.

Many travelers, however, purchase insurance that they do not need. Many standard homeowner's or health insurance policies, for instance, cover lost luggage or accidents abroad.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance are generally the most useful types of travel insurance, because they cover losses that are usually not covered by most travelers' existing coverage. These two types of insurance are often bundled and sold as a package.

• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Interruption Insurance
• Other Types of Travel Insurance

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance covers you for the period of time before you travel. It reimburses you for any prepaid, non-refundable expenses, such as airline tickets or hotel rooms, that you cannot use because you had to cancel your trip.

Trip cancellation insurance generally kicks in if the cancellation is due to an unforeseen accident, illness or other specified event that affects you, a close family member or your traveling companion. Obviously, many terms are open to interpretation: "unforeseen," "other specified event," and "close family member" are not always self-explanatory.

For instance, if your chronic back problem flared up and forced you to cancel your trip, your policy might not reimburse you because your illness was foreseeable. Many policies, in fact, specifically exclude pre-existing conditions. Injuries sustained during high-risk activities such as sky-diving are also usually excluded. And, strangely enough, almost every insurer excludes pregnancy from coverage. Be sure you know what reasons for cancellation will be accepted.

Similarly, be aware that your insurer may define "close family member" differently than you do. If you plan a trip with your live-in partner, for instance, and your partner falls seriously ill before you leave, you might not be covered for canceling your trip if only spouses are included in the definition of close family member.

Terrorism or political unrest in the country where you are headed may be an allowable reason to cancel, but they are sometimes specifically excluded from coverage.

Finally, keep in mind that trip cancellation insurance covers you before your departure, not during your trip. But when does your trip actually start? Be sure that your policy covers you while you are on the way from home to your departure point. If you have a car accident on the way to the airport, for example, your insurer might consider you to have already departed and refuse tocover your cancellation. Make sure you are covered for the entire period of time before you actually set sail, so to speak.

Trip Interruption Insurance

Trip interruption insurance covers you during your trip. If, while you are travelling, an injury, illness or other event prevents you from continuing, trip interruption coverage will reimburse you for expenses you incur because of the accident. Some policies also reimburse you for any unused prepaid expenses. Most commonly, trip interruption coverage is used to cover expenses for returning home early. Or, if you are delayed during your trip and wish to catch up to your original schedule, this type of coverage will often pay the economy fare to rejoin your itinerary. Additional living expenses may also be reimbursed if caused by a coverable delay.

Many trip interruption policies also cover medical evacuation costs, such as transporting you by helicopter to the nearest medical facility if you are injured while mountain climbing. Like trip cancellation policies, however, these policies generally exclude pre-existing conditions, so be careful not to aggravate your chronic back problem while hundreds of miles away from civilization.

Finally, some trip interruption policies cover expenses in the event that you die during your trip. If you like to prepare for every possible contingency, you might inquire about this coverage.

Other Types of Travel Insurance

Other kinds of travel insurance are generally unnecessary because standard health, homeowner's or renter's insurance covers the same ground. For example, travel accident insurance covers medical expenses stemming from accidents during a trip, but the coverage is usually quite small and is often already covered by your health or automobile insurance. The same is true for sickness-hospitalization medical insurance. (But check your health insurance policy if you plan to travel in a foreign country. Not all policies cover medical expenses incurred abroad.) And with both, beware of pre-existing conditionexclusions.

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance covers injuries that result in severe maiming or death. Again, most standard accident, disability or life insurance policies cover these accidents, which rarely happen during travel.

Finally, baggage insurance is usually unnecessary if you already carry homeowner's or renter's insurance. And it usually contains a significant number of exclusions, so the amount of coverage is usually quite limited.

Source: Reprinted with permission from the publisher, Nolo, Copyright 2002, http://www.nolo.com

Travel in solidarity and support your fellow union brothers and sisters!  Below is a list of airlines and hotel chains represented by union members.

• Text AIRLINES to 22555 to receive a union airlines list on your mobile device.*
• Text HOTELS to 22555 to receive a union hotels list on your mobile device.*
• Remember that union families can plan their travel at the Union Plus Travel Center - including car rental discounts and much more!
• Learn about other union-made products and union member discounts on unionized products here.

Airlines

• Air Midwest Inc. (IAM)
• Air Wisconsin (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Alaska Airlines (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Aloha Airlines (TWU)
• America West Airlines Inc. (TWU)
• American Airlines Inc. (FEIA)
• American Eagle Airlines: Div. AMR Corp (TWU)
• Atlantic Coast Airlines (AMFA)
• Bemidji Aviation (IAM)
• Canadian North (ALPA)
• CommutAir (ALPA)
• Compass Airlines (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Continental Airlines (AFA-CWA)
• Continental Micronesia Airlines (AFA-CWA)
• Delta (ALPA)
• Endeavor Air (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Envoy Air (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Express Jet (ALPA)
• Frontier Airlines (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Hawaiian Airlines (AFA-CWA: ALPA)
• Horizon Air (AFA-CWA)
• Island Air (ALPA)
• JetBlue (ALPA)
• Mesa Air Group (AFA-CWA;; ALPA)
• Miami Air International (AFA-CWA)
• Mesaba Airlines (AFA-CWA)
• Omni Air International (AFA-CWA)
• Piedmont Airlines (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• PSA Airlines (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Silver Airways (AFA-CWA)
• Southwest Airlines (TWU)
• Spirit Airlines (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• Sun Country (ALPA)
• United Airlines (AFA-CWA; ALPA)
• US Airways (AFA-CWA)
• Virgin America (ALPA)

Full list of ALPA organized airlines.

Full list of AFA-CWA organized airlines.

Hotel Chains*

• Best Western
• Comfort Inn
• Hilton
• Holiday Inn
• Marriott
• Radisson
• Ritz Carlton
• Sheraton
• Westin

*Some of the hotel chains listed above have specific unionized locations. To find out exactly which of the hotels you're looking to book, employs workers of UNITE HERE, please search within the Union Hotel Guide -- maintained by the UNITE HERE site where you'll be able to search hotels by city, state, hotel name or metro area.

The full names of the unions above are:  Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and UNITE HERE. If we're missing any, let us know at info@unionplus.org.

*Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Reply STOP to opt-out. We'll txt you approx. 1x/mo. Terms & Conditions/Privacy Policy. Reply HELP or contact help@unionplus.org for help.

Planning a summer vacation? Make it union

Wherever you go for a summer vacation, your family is likely to enjoy the services of union members: getting you to your destination safely, on time and comfortably; preparing and delivering food; keeping you safe and entertaining you. Check out the Union Plus Travel Center - the travel and entertainment section offers exclusive discounts for union members.

When you take in a live performance, a concert or show, a major sporting event, stay in a comfortable hotel or take a meal in a classy restaurant. More than likely, union members will be part of the experience.

Did you know that the most successful U.S. theme parks are staffed by thousands of union members?

Disney World employs some 27,000 union members from 9 different unions including musicians, actors, stage hands, hotel and restaurant personnel from UNITE HERE, Teamsters and many more.

AFSCME represents thousands of municipal workers at city and state parks and zoos. U.S. Interior Department workers who staff federal parks and monuments are also union-represented by NFFE, an affiliate of IAM. AFGE represents many employees who build exhibits, conduct research and maintain the world-renowned Smithsonian Institute Museum in Washington DC.

Thousands of employees working in Major League Baseball stadiums are represented by several unions including AFSCME, UNITE HERE and the Service Employees.\

If you're planning a family vacation, check the Union Label website for hotels, airlines, rail service and highway transportation available in the region you'll be visiting.

Most major U.S. airlines are union front to back. Continental has union pilots, but other elements of the line are non-union.

Greyhound buses are operated and maintained by members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) which also represents the operators, drivers and support workers for the Metro (Washington DC) transit system.

1. Don’t travel if you are experiencing any sign of illness.
    
2. Get your flu shot at least two weeks before you leave.
    
3. Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
    
4. Stay hydrated. Drink more water and less caffeine.
    
5. If you're traveling by air, pack a small (TSA-approved size) bottle of hand sanitizer in your carry-on luggage. Use it once you're settled in your seat and again after you leave the plane. If you're traveling by car, keep a bottle in your glove box or door pocket and use it.
    
6. Take precautions when using public lavatories.
    
7. Pay attention to symptoms of nearby travelers. Try to keep your distance and avoid contact with anything they might touch.
    
8. Don’t share food or drinks.
    
9. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or tissue if someone near you sneezes or coughs in your direction. Discard used tissues right away, then wash or sanitize your hands carefully.

With many working families planning their summer vacations, it's good to know which hotels to book and which to boycott.

Now there's an iPhone app to help you quickly and easily find hotels where UNITE HERE members are employed. Or you can do an online search from your computer. You'll be supporting good union jobs, and find friendly faces to greet you on your trip.

How about knowing which hotels to steer clear of?  Here's a list of hotels to boycott including the long list of Hyatt Hotels that have substandard working conditions for their housekeeping staff.

Looking for an alternative to booking a hotel stay?  Union members can get great deals on condos, even save 15% off nightly rentals.