A review of your extra union benefits and services

As a result of your union membership, you and your families enjoy many benefits and services in addition to job security and other contractual provisions including seniority, scheduling, vacations, etc. But the benefits and services you are entitled to receive include not only those negotiated on your behalf by the Union, such as medical, dental, optical, pension, pre-paid legal, scholarship etc., but additional ones that result from the Union's affiliation with the AFL-CIO.

Here is an updated review of some of the additional benefits and services that are available to you and your families from Union Plus and other providers. The following list has many new details such as phone numbers and websites, as well as some new benefits and services, and so we strongly advise you to save this article for future reference.

What are some of the new benefits and services? There is a college planning center, a health club discount program, savings on Dell computers and AT&T Wireless service and a college savings grant, among others.

We'd also like to note that although members have a life insurance benefit through their membership in our Union, the Union Plus insurance programs are included here for those members who wish to purchase supplemental insurance at low group rates.

Here are some of the additional benefits and services that are available to you and your families through your union membership:

UNION PLUS CREDIT CARD: By far the most popular Union Plus program, the low-rate Union Plus Credit Card comes with a skip payment plan in case you are ever laid off, locked out of your job or forced to go on strike. Union members can apply for this credit card online and get an instant decision. Cardholders are automatically eligible for over 20 discounts, including AT&T Wireless, ConsumerReports.org, etc. All customer service calls to the Union Plus Credit Card program are answered in the United States. Also, the program also offers a Secured Card to members who may need to improve their credit or establish a credit history. The interest rate on the Union Plus Credit Card is lower than most bank credit cards and there is no annual fee! To apply for the Union Plus Credit Card, call toll-free: 1-800-522-4000. You may also apply online at UnionPlus.org.

SECURED CREDIT CARD: If you never had a credit card or you have a poor credit history, this program may be able to help you. The Union Plus Secured Credit Card can help union members who need to establish or repair their credit. The card is granted to approved members who make a deposit in an interest-bearing savings account. After 18 months of on-time payments, members are eligible to be reviewed for the regular Union Plus Credit Card. The Secured Credit Card comes with no application fees, a competitive fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and a low annual fee. To request an application for the Union Plus Secured Card, call 1-800-651-5108. You can also get an application online at UnionPlus.org.

UNION PLUS MOTOR CLUB: This program has a price of $64.80 a year (or $5.40 a month), which is less than the cost of AAA! Better yet, this program covers you and your entire family. It is an affordable and reliable service that provides peace of mind on the road for union members and their families. It provides emergency roadside assistance and locksmith services up to $125 per service call, up to three service calls per year. Union members also receive a set of vouchers that are good for $40 in gas rebates when signing up for one year of service. To learn more information or to enroll in the Union Plus Motor Club program, call toll-free 1-800-454-8722.

LIFE INSURANCE: Supplemental insurance for Union members is available through Union Plus Life Insurance. It offers several types of term life insurance at low group rates delivered through the Hartford Group. Other benefits include a greater selection in plans and guaranteed coverage provisions. There is a skip-payment provision in the event of a layoff, disability or a prolonged strike. To learn more information or to apply, members may visit UnionPlus.org or call 1-800-393-0864.

AUTO INSURANCE: See the special section on auto insurance on page 3.

OTHER INSURANCE: Discounted pet insurance, Medigap coverage and accidental death insurance are also available at UnionPlus.org.

CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS: Part of the Union Plus Family Savers Program, this service provides discounts when you rent a car at home or while traveling. The rental car discounts are offered through Avis, Budget and Hertz. To receive the Avis discount you may call the company's reservation line at 1-800-698-5685 and use union identification number B723700. For discounts with Budget, you may call 1-800-455-2848 and use union identification number V816100. For discounts with Hertz call 1-800-654-2200 and use union identification number 205666. Please note that Avis and Budget provide an automatic discount to car renters who use their Union Plus Credit Card. Also note that these programs vary by company, but they're typically free and entitle you to certain privileges when picking up your vehicle. You could also be eligible for additional special offers, upgrades, directions and more.à

DISCOUNT FLOWERS & GIFTS: Through this program, administered through Teleflora, members receive a 20 percent discount with every order they make online or over the phone. There are additional savings available through Teleflora, including a special discount if you order online. And, if you order by phone you should know that all calls are answered in the United States! We should add that Teleflora's network of local U.S. florists is significantly larger than the nearest competitor.

Flowers are delivered the same day for all U.S. orders placed before 2:00 p.m. (noon on Saturdays) in the recipient's time zone, and floral arrangements may also be sent anywhere around the world within three business days. Choose gifts of all kinds, roses, centerpieces, bouquets, green and flowering plants, flowers, balloons, baskets, and more. To order visit UnionPlus.org or call 1-888-667-7779.

DISCOUNT HOME HEATING OIL: Save money on home heating fuel through the energy cooperative called HEAT (Heat Energy Affordable Today) USA. HEAT USA is able to provide members of our Union with fuel oil and other services at a good-sized discount because it is a cooperative organization. The unions that are part of the program have enough members to allow HEAT USA to purchase fuel at discounted bulk rates. The savings are then passed along to you. For an annual fee of $25, HEAT USA delivers your fuel at a large discount and provides a free or discounted service contract on your home heating system, including 24-hour emergency service. By using HEAT USA the average consumer can expect to save $200 and $300 a year on heating oil bills. In many cases, the savings will be far greater. To learn more about HEAT USA or to take advantage of the benefits it offers, simply call this toll-free number: 1-800-660-0691. Also, if you decide to join the fuel cooperative, don't forget to mention that you are a member of our Union. Your Union membership will entitle you to another discount: Your will receive your first year membership for only $15 and you will also receive a certificate for $50 of free heating oil!

FURNITURE DISCOUNTS: Plaza Furniture, which is located at 265 West 37th Street (corner of Eighth Avenue), fifth floor east, is a union members-only store that is stocked with quality brand name furniture and home furnishings. The discounts available exclusively to union members range from 25 percent to 45 percent, and even higher discounts apply during clearance sales. Union members also enjoy the benefit of having any furniture they purchase at Plaza delivered to their homes free of charge, if they reside within 50 miles of the showroom. Union members can call the store in advance and get a price quote on any furniture they see in any other stores. Proof of union membership is necessary to take advantage of Plaza Furniture's discounts. You may use your Union I.D. card or may bring a clipping of this article to obtain these discounts. The phone number for Plaza Furniture is 212-947-7453.

COMPUTER DISCOUNTS: Union Plus can really make a difference for those who purchase Dell computers. For starters, Union members will save between 10% and 30% on Dell laptops and desktops. On select Dell systems there is free telephone tech support available and, believe it or not, the technicians are based here in the U.S.! The program also comes with a unique call-in price guarantee. In addition, there are often other offers on a special Dell site for Union members. To check out the Dell laptops, desktops, etc. visit UnionPlus.org or call 1-877-882-3355 and use union member ID number PS16626766.

AT&T WIRELESS: Union Plus AT&T Wireless can really make a difference. It is a unionized wireless service company ââ¬â "Proud to be Union" ââ¬â and it offers a 15% discount off its regular monthly rate for all AT&T wireless individual or family plans. It includes plans for the new iPhone 4. The program also has a unique labor union member advocate program that helps you with AT&T wireless customer service. The program also has union member-only savings on AT&T cell phones and cell phone accessories; and they are available online. For more information, go to UnionPlus.org or call 1-800-897-7046 and reference FAN number 3508840.

COLLEGE PLANNING CENTER: An extraordinary online benefit that provides information on college savings grants, scholarships, including the Union Plus scholarship program, and many education funding resources. There is a section on "Finding a College," and another section on student credit and debt tips. There are also student discounts available. The college planning center can be found at UnionPlus.org.

COLLEGE SAVINGS GRANT: One of the benefits available to some members through the Union Plus College Planning Center is a college savings grant. This is a $500 grant to union members who open a new 529 college savings or a pre-paid tuition account. The 529 account beneficiary must be 12 years old or younger at the time you open your 529 account, and once you open it you must build savings of at least $1,000. Please note that only one college savings grant will be permitted per union household. For more information, please visit the Union Plus college planning center at UnionPlus.org.

HEALTH CLUB DISCOUNTS: Union Plus health club discounts are provided through Global Fit, which offers great values through some 10,000 health clubs nationwide, including Curves, Gold Gyms, Sport & Health, and Bally's Total Fitness. Union members can save 40% to 60% on initiation fees and 15% to 30% on monthly fees. Starting fees can be as low as $9.99 (use ID number FIT0610). For more information or to enroll, go to UnionPlus.org or call 1-800-294-1500.