Tips and Updates is the Union Plus Blog and features articles that highlight Consumer Tips, Union Issues, Member Stories and Union-Made Categories.
Instant Benefits New Union Members Appreciate Using Right Away
Union Plus Health Savings
These health savings programs can bring immediate benefits to your members:
Vision Savings
A FREE discount vision plan with $50 eye exams, 35% off frames, and more instant savings available immediately with the special discount card from Union Plus.
For even greater savings members can access one of three vision insurance plans with savings on eye exams, eye wear and contacts and more. Plans start at just $5 per month.
Download the Free Vision Discount flyer
to distribute to your members
Prescription Savings
A FREE prescription discount card providing savings of up to 65% on brand and generic drugs. Savings available at nearly 59,000 pharmacies nationwide with special discount card from Union Plus. You can order a supply of cards to include in your new member kits or download the flyer below.
Download the Free RX Card Flyer
to Distribute to Your Members
Dental Discounts
Savings of 20-50% on most dental procedures including routine oral exams, unlimited cleanings and major work such as dentures, root canals and crowns. Benefits available immediately upon signup. Plans start at just $7.95/month or $79.95/year.
Learn More about Dental Discounts
Additional Health Savings
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A FREE Hearing Plan that provides union members with discounts on hearing exams and hearing aids.
- Savings on chiropractic, diabetes and podiatry care through the Dental Discount Advantage Plan. Discounts available immediately.
Check out all of the
Union Plus Health Savings Benefits
Why is this information important to you as a Union Leader?
Showing immediate benefit to new and prospective members is a quick win that’s easy and impactful.
Locals have used the cards to support members in any number of ways:
- New apprenticeship members can have access immediately to health care benefits while in their eligibility period for plan benefits and it covers their whole family.
- Seasonal trades’ members can use the card during times when they might otherwise be using their hour bank or are laid off prior to future employment building their benefit pool resources.
- Local unions in right-to-work states have offered the cards as a means to assist in their organizing efforts by providing access to healthcare benefits immediately to new enrollees in the union.
- High deductible health plans – these programs can help with out-of-pocket costs, especially for health plans that require members to reach a large deductible before insurance starts paying.
Use these programs to make your meetings with new and prospective members more productive and easy. Put these savings cards in your member’s hands that can provide them with immediate savings on their out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Stay Union Strong and help your members and their families realize meaningful savings on day one!
There are many benefits of being part of a union. Here are a few benefits to help union leaders add even more value to union membership for new members.
When buying a home, it’s important to be ready
Get prepared
The My FirstHome® online interactive learning experience is for anyone who wants to learn more about finding, financing, and owning a home. Find it at wellsfargo.com/myfirsthome.
Find the right home loan for you
When you’re ready to start exploring home financing options, look to our Home Loan Shopping Tools. Buyers can find their home price range, review different scenarios and loan options, and translate a list price of a home into a monthly payment. Find these tools at wellsfargo.com/mortgage/planning.
Take charge of your home financing decisions
Find a clear path through the homebuying process to the loan closing and beyond when you visit the Wells Fargo Home Lending Learning and Planning Center. Customers can access on-demand tools and easy-to follow information to help them take charge of their decisions. Find it at wellsfargo.com/mortgage/home-loans.
Know where you stand throughout the loan process
Track your home loan’s progress from your computer, smartphone, or tablet and stay on top of every step in the process with yourLoanTrackerSM. You can receive, review, and securely upload documents, plus sign select documents electronically. Wells Fargo can help determine if a specific home loan is available with yourLoanTracker features.
Whatever stage of the process, these tools can help you learn more and make decisions along the way.
And remember, after closing on a loan through the Union Plus Mortgage program, you’ll be eligible for special benefits that include receiving a My Mortgage GiftSM award from Wells Fargo - $500 for buying a home or $300 for refinancing your home, for use at participating retailers – and access to mortgage assistance through Union Plus in times of hardship such as layoff, disability or strike.1,2 Keep in mind that parents and children of union members are also eligible for certain benefits.
Click here to learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage program
1. Eligible individuals can receive the Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award approximately 6 weeks after closing on a new purchase or refinance loan secured by an eligible first mortgage or deed of trust with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (“New Loan”), subject to qualification, approval and closing, when identifying themselves as eligible. The My Mortgage GiftSM award is not available with The Relocation Mortgage Program® or to any Wells Fargo team member. Only one My Mortgage Gift award is permitted per eligible New Loan. This award cannot be combined with any other award, discount or rebate, except for yourFirstMortgageSM. This award is void where prohibited, transferable, and subject to change or cancellation with no prior notice. Awards may constitute taxable income. Federal, state and local taxes, and any use of the award not otherwise specified in the Terms and Conditions (also provided at receipt of award) are the sole responsibility of the My Mortgage GiftSM recipient.
2. The Union Plus® Mortgage Assistance Program is provided and administered through the AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan (“The Plan”), which is not affiliated with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Additional information about this program and eligibility criteria can be obtained at www.unionplus.org/assistance.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage has a services agreement with Union Privilege in which Union Privilege receives a financial benefit for providing agreed upon services. You are encouraged to shop around to ensure you are receiving the services and loan terms that fit your home financing needs.
Information is accurate as of date of distribution. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
© 2017 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801 6/17
Through the Union Plus® Mortgage program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, union members, their parents and children have access to a wide range of home loan options to meet a variety of needs, plus access to special benefits designed for union families.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, Wells Fargo wants to make sure you’re prepared so that the process goes smoothly. If you’re buying your next home, you can find out more about today’s homebuying process — some things may have changed since you last bought a home. And if you’re looking for your first home, you can learn more about what’s needed to become a homeowner.
Whatever your situation, these dynamic resources may help.
10 Union Sites to Check Out This Summer
Check out this list of union sites around the country!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Looking for cool places to travel this summer? Check out this list of union sites around the country! Take along a friend, gather up the family, or opt to go solo — this list of historical labor sites are sure to diversify your summer travel plans. Be sure to check out the Union Plus Travel and Entertainment benefits before you hit the road.