Travel + Fun

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.

Tips for Car Trips:

• Be Prepared by Having 24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance. 

Union Plus Motor Club costs less than AAA, plus you get $40 in gas rebate vouchers when you sign up for one year.

• Plan Itineraries and Arrange Accommodations Well in Advance.

Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars get booked quickly during peak travel times. Book now to get great deals on nightly and weekly condo rentals with your Union Plus discount.

• Get a Tune Up.

Before any long-distance drive, get your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked. The slightest deficiency in air pressure significantly reduces a car's gas mileage.  Use your Union Plus discount to save 10% on getting your car serviced at Goodyear.

• Get an Early Start to Avoid Holiday/Weekend Gridlock.

Traveling during late night/early morning hours helps. The worst times to travel are after meals since most travelers postpone leaving until they've eaten with their families. Make sure all your drivers are thoroughly rested.

Tips for Air Travel:

• Book Your Ticket ASAP.

The key to securing the best deal is flexibility in your travel date. Also check into special fares or consider flying into an alternate airport and renting a car. Save up to 25% with car rental deals from Union Plus and choose from the top 6 rental companies.

• Arrive Early.

Airport parking, long lines at security checkpoints, and oversold flights mean it's a good idea to arrive early.

• Keep a Close Eye on Your Belongings.

Be aware of your surroundings and keep a close watch over tickets, wallets, purses, and other belongings. Thieves don't take vacations; but they can ruin yours.

• Avoid Getting Bumped.

1. Get an advance seat assignment.
2. Check-in online. 
3. Don't be late.

• Remember 3-1-1.

Regulations limit the amount of gels and liquids passengers can take through security in carry-on luggage.  Keep travel-size toiletries to 3 ounces or less that fit comfortably in 1 quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag with 1 bag per passenger. 3-1-1.

• Know Your Limits.

Pack light and know baggage limits. Many airlines now charge for checked luggage.

Ken Jones, a pump and still operator at a Coke (fuel) plant and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 09-12136 member from Birmingham, AL, is one of two lucky $5,000 winners of the Union Plus “What Kind of Union Car Are You?” Labor Day Sweepstakes.

Jones, who claims that he never wins anything, could not have been more surprised to learn he won the prize money for simply completing a short quiz which revealed what his ideal union-made car personality type is. Nearly 25,000 sweepstakes entries were received between August 1 and September 5, and fortunately for Jones, the odds were in his favor.

“I follow Union Plus on Facebook since I’m a rep with my union and want to stay up-to-date with all the benefits, and that’s where I saw some information about the contest. I thought I wasn’t going to win, but just for kicks I entered,” he recalled.

Jones, who currently drives a union-made vehicle made in Topeka, Kansas, says he feels strongly about buying American-made and union-made. When he learned that his ideal union-made car personality is a Cadillac CTS, he had a comical reaction.

“Well, I thought it was kind of neat. Those cars are really sharp automobiles, and if I only had enough money to buy a Cadillac CTS, I certainly would get one!” he laughed. “It definitely matches my car type — the size of it, and the little bit of a sporty look to it.”

Due to his role with his local, Jones said he is very familiar with the benefit programs Union Plus offers. He plans to use the Mortgage and Auto Buying Programs in the future, and his oldest daughter was awarded a Union Plus $1,000 scholarship a couple of years ago. He also tells his fellow union members about opportunities to save with Union Plus.

“I tell the guys I work with that being a union member has many benefits with Union Plus. You have the wireless discounts, the Mortgage Program, discounts on tires, the insurance programs. There’s quite a long list. Not only does it pay to belong to be part of the union, but with this sweepstakes, it really pays to belong!” Jones said.

When asked about what he plans to do with the $5,000, Jones told Union Plus that he plans to spend some of it on his wife and daughters, and put the remainder into savings.

The prize money for this contest was provided by TrueCar, the provider of the Union Plus Auto Buying Service. Union members looking for a great deal on a vehicle save an average of $3,279 off MSRP and receive special rebates for buying union-made. Click here to learn more!