AFM and Union Plus Have Your Back

November 1, 2013

Sam Folio  -  former AFM International Secretary-Treasurer

Whether it is negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music or securing benefits such as healthcare and pension; AFM is always working hard for you and your families.

But did you know that Union Plus is also working hard for you and your family? Through our strategic partnership with the Union Plus programs, active and retired AFM members in the US are eligible for over 25 special benefits and programs that Union Plus offers, including: travel and entertainment discounts, AT&T wireless discounts, and the Union Plus Credit Card program.

The Union Plus Credit Card program features two new credit cards with improved hardship grants for eligible cardholders. Since 2009 these grants have provided more than $1.7 million to help union member cardholders facing financial hardships. After carrying this card for just three months, cardholders may be eligible for:

• Job Loss Grants of $300 to help eligible cardholders who have recently been laid off.
• Strike Grants of $300 to provide assistance to eligible cardholders who are on a union-sanctioned strike or experiencing a lockout.
• Disability Grants of $1,600-$2,700 to help eligible cardholders who have lost significant income due to a long-term illness or disability.
• Hospital Grants of $1,200 to aid eligible cardholders with large, unreimbursed hospital expenses.
  Disaster Relief Grants of $500 to help eligible cardholders facing financial hardship due to a natural disaster.

These grants are part of the assistance program from Union Plus that helps eligible union members facing hardships due to layoffs, hospital costs, disability, mortgage payment problems or high college costs. Through these new and expanded grants, Union Plus will help even more union families. And all grants approved for eligible cardholders are paid by check, and they never have to be paid back.

Please join me in becoming a Union Plus Credit Card carrier by learning more at AFMcard.com or by calling 1-800-522-4000.

*     Credit approval required. Terms and conditions apply.  Union Plus Credit Cards are issued by Capital One, N.A.

*      Certain restrictions, limitations, and qualifications apply to these grants. Additional information and eligibility criteria can be obtained at UnionPlus.org/Assistance.

AT&T Is the No. 1 Wireless Carrier of Choice for Unions

Available through the end of 2013, the AT&T Union Campaign Phone program is designed for any local union looking to purchase voice only devices to run phone banking or campaigns without having to invest in wired services. Instead you will receive wireless phones that allow you to be more mobile with the campaign and use them at any location.

If you are about to run a campaign or event and need to get some phones for this, please take a look at the details of the program:

• Voice/Text only devices option
• Wireless phones for $0
• No contract—cancel after project is completed with no penalties
• Suspend lines for up to six months or until the next campaign for $.01 /month per line.
• Customized pooled voice plans to meet your needs
• Delivery within 1-3 business days
• AT&T 100% fully unionized wireless carrier

For further information on this program, contact Angie Ison, AT&T/AFL-CIO Regional Account Manager, at 646-707-1586 or ai200m@att.com.

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