Member Stories

It's a fact of life for most people-sooner or later you're probably going to need a lawyer. But where do you turn to get qualified, expert, affordable legal advice?

Dave Felice of Denver, Colo., and Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7777 has found the answer from personal experience. "There's just no substitute for the Union Plus Legal Service."

Qualified Lawyers

Felice has used Union Plus as his go-to legal resource for a range of personal legal issues. "I've called about a traffic violation, about some financial matters, and even about a conflict with a car rental company," he says. "With Union Plus you always get to the right person, and you know your lawyer is qualified."

The fact is, most companies have lawyers on retainer, and most working families don't. That's what makes the Union Plus Legal Service such an invaluable resource. Union families can get a free 30-minute consultation with a lawyer, .

If additional legal services are required, Union Plus has negotiated an exclusive 30% discount off hourly rates and flat fees from over 2,000 law offices nationwide. Best of all, the program provides you with instant access whenever you need it, with no sign-up and no enrollment fees: if you're in a union, you have a lawyer.

"The best thing was that immediate connection we made," Felice says. "It was like talking to a coworker who understood my situation and was on my side. They listened, and got me the answers I needed fast."

Saving Money and Increasing Security

Felice has been a communications worker for 35 years. For the first 25 he was non-union, and now for the last decade he's been grateful to be a CWA member and experience the union difference. "My financial advisor would say joining the union is the best thing that's ever happened to me," he says. "It's provided more financial security and job security."

Speaking of security, another benefit of being in a union is being able to use all the programs and services offered by Union Plus. "That legal program gives me a greater sense of security from knowing I can make a phone call when I need a lawyer and get to the right person quickly and easily," Felice says. "I'm grateful that Union Plus offers such a valuable service."

As Felice has discovered, the Union Plus Legal Service is available for all types of legal issues, including family law, traffic matters, wills and estate planning, real estate, criminal and immigration law. The lawyers you speak to are carefully screened, specially selected and highly experienced, with an average of 14 years in legal practice. Union Plus lawyers are also labor-friendly-and all services are provided confidentially.

Union Plus Legal Services

If you're like most people, chances are you're going to need a lawyer one day. When you do, remember that Union Plus Legal Service has been helping union members and families for over 25 years, with over one million referrals.

Learn more and get a referral today by clicking here.

A rare form of cancer may have robbed Brigid McDonald's newborn of half her eyesight, but it did nothing to diminish her daughter's vision for a bright future.

Caeli, admitted to the University of Rochester (the college of her choice), has already done the work to get accepted, and Union Plus has helped her with one of the other hard parts: paying for it.

Union Plus Scholarships help make higher education more affordable to union members and their families. The cash awards, ranging from $500 to $4,000, are granted to recipients based on academic achievement and potential, character, leadership, social awareness, career goals and financial need. The deadline to apply for a 2017 Union Plus Scholarship is January 31, 2017.

SEIU daughter growing up with vision loss

Few students could be more deserving than Caeli Quiter, 19, daughter of McDonald, a member of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 326. From an early age, Caeli proved she was a fighter. After all, she was only about eight weeks old when it was discovered that she had bilateral retinoblastoma, cancer of both eyes. It was a diagnosis that required radiation and chemotherapy -- treatment that, ultimately, claimed the vision in her left eye.

A lack of balance, as a result of her vision loss, made it difficult for Caeli to perform motor skills at the same age as her peers. However, from an early age, it was apparent that Caeli's life was not about meeting milestones; it was about surpassing them. She read books at the age of three, won community service awards in grade school and was a professional musician in high school, playing five instruments. Not only did she achieve this list of accomplishments, but she also earned stellar grades while doing so.

"Having partial vision has not set me back; it has only pushed me forward," said Caeli.

College debt...even with scholarships 

Thanks to her good grades and leadership skills, Caeli received a full academic scholarship to the University of Rochester, where she plans to earn a degree in biomedical engineering. While the financial assistance from the school is significant, Caeli's family still wrestles with the cost of room and board, books and other necessary expenses.

"Even with Caeli's scholarship, we still need to pay about $16,000 a year," explains Brigid, a single mom who supervises counselors at a New York State corrections facility. "We do everything we can to pay as much as we can, but it's difficult. Caeli works and saves every penny she can. But no matter what, it's hard to avoid debt."

Fortunately, Brigid discovered the Union Plus Scholarship through an email from Union Plus.

College help for union families

Union Plus recognizes that higher education is important to working families and a key to improved financial security. That's why Union Plus provides $150,000 in scholarships annually to retired or active members who belong to a union participating in any of the Union Plus programs. Spouses and dependent children (as defined by the IRS) are also eligible. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, or click here to learn more about the Union Plus Scholarship >>

For our 30th anniversary, we're rewarding union members and Union Plus Credit Cardholders* with the chance to make their dreams come true in our American Dream Sweepstakes. Over $100,000 in prizes will be given away, and one lucky winner will win $30,000.

You could be the next winner, but you only have a few weeks left to enter!

Enter now through 12/31/16 to win	Here's how it works:
$500 gift cards to 12 winners every week $30,000 Grand Prize to 1 winner	Visit UnionPlusSweeps.com and provide a valid email address.
	Fill out a union-time registration form.
	Enter the sweepstakes up to 30 times per week.

 

Click here to learn more!

 

Ten union members have already received their $500 gift card prize! We believe unions are the cornerstone of our country—the reason the American dream can become a reality—so we asked these winners to describe the American Dream, and to tell us how unions help Americans achieve that dream. Read their responses below!

Andrew Cuschieri, a United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) member from Taylor, MI, and a $500 gift card winner.

How he defines the American Dream:

“The American Dream comes down to a lot of hard work, never giving up, and doing what you love. It’s pursuing your passion and pushing yourself to the next level,” he said.

How he believes unions help achieve that goal:

“Unions protect members so they’re not taken advantage of and are able to advance fairly. When I think of the union, I think of someone that has your back in case of any kind of discrimination or unjust behavior,” he said.

Adelia Marron won a $500 gift card. She’s from Stonington, IL, is the wife of a Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 103G member. Her husband was also formerly a United Steelworkers (USW) member.

How she defines the American Dream:

“It’s about having good jobs you can depend on and making a decent wage. We feel it’s also tied to the ability to buy a house and put enough money away to retire,” she said.

Both Adelia and her husband, Jim, have carried a Union Plus Credit Card since 1988 and are fans of the program because of the competitive rates and the union-backing.

Ned Overton, an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) member from Lake Grove, NY, and a $500 gift card winner.

How he defines the American Dream:

“The American Dream is where everyone has a fair chance in life and is given equal opportunities to be successful. You have a fair shot of having a good quality of life where you’re not constantly working where it’s paycheck-to-paycheck,” he said.

How he believes unions help achieve that goal:

“I have good benefits and a good retirement plan because of my union. Having good health, dental, and vision plans is important…. My union fought for me and my colleagues to get good contracts. If you’re a good worker and you work hard, you should receive good benefits and raises,” he said.

Theresa Heathington, a retired American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3251 member and a $500 gift card winner.

How she defines the American Dream:

“The American Dream for me is that my family is able to live the life we want. The union afforded us the luxury of having benefits, good health care, insurance, and job stability. That’s not the way it is for a lot of people, you know. It’s also about retiring at an early age so I can still enjoy my life,” she said.

A Union Plus Credit Card holder for the past decade, Heathington only has good things to say about the program:

“I thought I should get a credit card through Union Plus since they care about people in the union. I’ve also been extremely satisfied with the customer service I’ve received from Capital One,” she said.

Ray McKenzie, an International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 12 member from Wheeling, WV, and a $500 gift card winner.

How he believes unions help others achieve the American Dream:

“Labor unions in this country provide people with better wages and jobs. They provide fair group representation that is needed. To me, that’s what the American Dream is all about,” he said.

Eric Lamb, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 17 member from Fredonia, NY, and a $500 gift card winner.

How he defines the American Dream, and how he believes unions help achieve that goal:

“The American Dream comes down to financial security and good health. And the union provides good healthcare, retirement pensions, as well as fair wages and good working conditions. It all ties together,” he said.

Robert Hessler, a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1000 member and a $500 gift card winner.

How he defines the American Dream:

“I’m fortunate enough to have a job with the union backing me. The American Dream is making sure to get what you want out of life. It’s all about getting along with everyone and spending time with your family and friends,” he said.

How he believes unions help achieve that goal:

“Union members are from all different walks of life and they all work together for the same cause and a good life. Because of unions, members receive better pay, which they deserve,” he said.

Taneka Heard, a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1000 member and a $500 gift card winner.

How she defines the American Dream, and how she believes unions help achieve that goal:

“Personally, I believe the American Dream means being able to continue to work with the union backing me up. It’s about flourishing and providing for my family. I see difficulties, like possible layoffs, that my family members experience who don’t have a union, and I’m glad to have someone on my side fighting for me,” she said.

David Harlow, a retired International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1857 member and a $500 gift card winner.

How he defines the American Dream:

“I think it means being able to have a good standard level of living where you can afford to eat and enjoy life’s pleasures, all without having to worry about coming up short at the end of the month with your finances. Unions provide fair benefits and wages, so they really contribute to the American Dream,” he said.

What he recalls the union doing for him:

“We truly needed a strong union to negotiate our contracts. When I first started working with the fire department, I learned that some of my guys were living on food stamps even though they were making a full salary as fire fighters,” he said. “It was through a good union that we negotiated fair raises and other key benefits and factors in making the job overall better,” he said.

Donna Hansen, a Civil Service Employees Association/American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (CSEA/AFSCME) Local 0855 member and a $500 gift card winner.

How she believes unions help achieve that goal:

“Being with a union gives you job security. It enables you to provide for your family without worrying. Also, the union makes sure all of its members make a decent salary. To me, all of those things represent the American Dream,” she said.

How she plans to use the money:

“Winning the $500 is going to make my Christmas a lot better! I’m going to put the money toward presents this year. It will definitely help me purchase nicer gifts that I may not have financially been able to get before,” she said.

To learn more about the Union Plus American Dream Sweepstakes and to enter, visit UnionPlusSweeps.com before December 31, 2016.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes starts 10/10/16 at 12:00 AM ET and ends 12/31/16 at 11:59:59 PM ET. Open only to eligible legal residents of the United States, D.C., U.S. territories and military bases, who are Union Plus Credit Cardholders or current/retired eligible union members as of 9/28/16 and 18 years and older. Click here for Official Rules and complete details, including entry instructions, entry periods, odds of winning, prize information, eligible unions, restrictions, etc. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by Capital One, N.A. 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, VA 22102.

*Union Plus Credit Cards are issued by Capital One, N.A., pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Credit approval required. Terms and conditions apply. The Mastercard Brand Mark is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

 

Moving has to be among the most stressful of life events — from the house hunting and home buying process to the packing (some purging) and physical relocation of your worldly possessions. There are change-of-address notices to send out, and often new jobs and new schools take a social, even psychological, toll.

When 20-year BRS-member, Howard Forte, and his wife first started shopping around for a different address several months back, it was with great apprehension. Real-estate agents weren’t high on their list of favorite people.

“We’ve owned before — this was our second time purchasing a home,” said Forte. “We’ve just always had a difficult time with real estate in general.”

His expectations already abysmally low, Forte found a local real estate agent through the Union Plus Real Estate Rewards Program, powered by SIRVA.

“Rosemarie Cazzorla and her associate agent at Century 21 have been absolutely amazing,” said Forte. “She helped us purchase our home in North Bellmore, N.Y. We just moved in a few days ago and she’s still helping us with stuff now. They’re the most amazing agents we’ve ever worked with.”

The Union Plus Real Estate Rewards Program features:

• Union members receive $50 for every $10,000 in home value after closing when they use a Real Estate Rewards agent to buy or sell a home,
• Over 4,600 agents participate in the program throughout the U.S. which means a local agent is easy to find,
• And every SIRVA agent is pre-screened as the best, based upon performance, service and coverage around you.

A long-time signalman for the Long Island Railroad, Forte is looking at a daily commute of about 30 minutes from North Bellmore into the city, where his wife also works. While the couple and their three children are still getting settled, they’re already enjoying their new home — though the kids would prefer it came with a dog! “Maybe in a few years,” said Forte.

Union Plus is here to help our fellow union members navigate any residential move. Check out our tips and offers and make your move a lot less stressful and expensive.

Find a real estate agent and save some money. By leveraging our relationship with SIRVA –one of the world’s largest moving and relocation companies – and their network of preferred real estate agents, SIRVA Home Benefits is able to connect you with real estate agents that are trusted by FORTUNE® 1000 companies and offer you cash back after closing.*

Learn more or Call 800-284-9756

When you search for a mortgage, don't forget to consider the Union Plus Mortgage program. The Union Plus Mortgage program can help you purchase a home while also receiving special benefits by virtue of your union membership.

One year into home ownership, Carrie Comer already knows the countless benefits to no longer renting. A longtime apartment-dweller, she bought her first home last year.

“It’s about security, peace of mind, safety, confidence,” said Comer, a member of AFT Local 1 in Chicago, Ill. “I have a son; for him, it’s stability. Home ownership means a lot.”

The sweetness of the security and stability just got a little sweeter for Comer, who was a second-place winner in the Union Plus Home Sweet Home contest.

Homeowners with a Union Plus Mortgage were eligible to win either a first-place prize of two monthly mortgage payments or a second-place prize of one monthly mortgage payment (up to $1500 each). Contestants simply needed to upload a photo of their homes and submit an essay explaining what home ownership means to them.

“I was on the Union Plus website looking for car rental discounts and just came about it, so I decided to apply,” Comer said. “The process was simple as far as uploading the picture and the statement was genuine about what being a homeowner means. It made it pretty easy.”
 
Perfect timing

Comer, who teaches preschool special education, said the timing of the prize money was perfect.

“I’m a teacher, so we don’t get paid in the summer,” she said. “They allowed me to choose the month, but June was the perfect month.”

One payment may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but Comer said it goes a long way.

“It makes a huge difference, regardless of whether I was working in the summer or not,” she said. “There’s always something that can be done with extra money. I’m a homeowner now, so I’m finding projects; that’s what I’m going to put it toward. Everything helps in this economy.”
 
More security, more freedom

Comer was introduced to the Union Plus Mortgage program through her mortgage officer, who explained the program to her.

“The process of obtaining it was simple as far as getting someone to sign the paperwork verifying that I am a union member,” she said. “Moving forward, there wasn’t anything that hindered my ability to obtain it.”

That meant freedom from apartment living.

“I had some bad experiences with renting,” Comer said. “You don’t control who’s in your building; you can get a bad tenant below or above you. And I just didn’t feel safe anymore. There are so many more benefits to home ownership as opposed to renting.”

Moreover, the Union Plus Mortgage program meant additional peace of mind.

”My interest rate won’t change; it’s a fixed rate,” said Comer.
 
The benefits of a union mortgage program

The Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, has provided $43.6 billion in mortgages to help more than 260,000 union members and their families buy or refinance a home. It is packed with special benefits tailored to meet the needs of active or retired union members, as well as their parents and children, who want to buy or refinance a home. 

Some of the other benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage program include:

• Hardship Assistance – Union Plus Mortgage Assistance¹ helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided more than $11 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
• Award Card – Union members and their families may receive a Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award card after closing on a purchase or refinance loan²; $500 for buying a home or $300 for refinancing a home.

Click here to learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage program >>

And if you have a home to buy or sell, look into Union Plus Real Estate Services, which provides discounts to union families, over 4,600 experienced, pre-screened agents nationwide, and even offers a cash-back rebate program, available in most states.
Your union and Union Plus are looking out for you. 

 

When much of your job requires you to live from a suitcase, time spent at home is cherished. That was certainly the case when Paul Moore traveled the world as a stage manager and scenic artist for theater, television, and movies for some 17 years.
    
But now Moore, Eastern Executive Director of the Motion Pictures Editors Guild, International Association of Theatrical, Stage Employees (IATSE), Local 700, doesn't travel as much and home is an inviting, rustic, cabin-inspired cedar getaway, about 90 miles from the heart of New York City in the town of Forestburg. 

For any homeowner, mortgage payments, home association fees and property assessments are monthly reminders that your dream home comes at a price. After refinancing three times previously, Moore didn't think it was worth the hassle of massive paperwork to try to whittle away at his mortgage payment. Fortunately, a phone call from the Union Plus Mortgage Program, convinced him to give it a shot. 

"I didn't want the headache of refinancing. I travel a lot and when I'm home, I want to enjoy my time," says Moore. "But I'm glad I went through with it. It was a very good, streamlined process. The information was turned around quickly and the savings were significant."

Situated in a community that boasts 1,100 acres of protected woodlands, Moore's home provides a quiet refuge from bustling city life. He and his wife Cassandra, a former ballerina who is now an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) member and high school dance teacher, have lived in the home for 12 years. 

The Union Plus Mortgage makes buying or refinancing a home easy and affordable with competitive pricing and special protections. Moore's refinance through Union Plus Mortgage Program saved him about $350 per month. 

Moore believes in the core values of the labor movement and as a union leader, he is proud of the value of union membership. "I'm proud to work for the men and women of Local 700. At the bargaining table, the union fights to make sure that wages and working conditions are good and that every creative member has a voice on the job," Moore says. " But the commitment to union members doesn't stop at the bargaining table -- the discounts offered by Union Plus to union members save money on everything from home refinancing to vacations to health care services."

Union Plus Mortgage offers union members and their families a unique mortgage assistance program. Union Plus Mortgage Assistance offers safety-net protections to help union members who might have trouble making their mortgage payments due to an unexpected loss of income due to disability, strike, lockout or layoff. 
 

Darrell Roybal of Lakewood, CO, is an elevator mechanic member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 25. When Roybal decided to buy his first house, he chose the Union Plus Mortgage Program with its unique benefits exclusive for union families.

"Union Plus offered interest-free assistance in case I'm injured on the job or in the event of a strike Cutor lockout," Darrell says.

Roybal says that the service that he experienced made the process of buying his first home less intimidating. "It was a scary decision, just thinking of all the closing costs and everything you need to buy your first home," he says. "Union Plus made it easy." 

Even after 15 years in IUEC and 20 years as a union man, Roybal says he's still discovering all the benefits of going union. "This was my first experience with Union Plus," he says. "But once we got a Union Plus mortgage, I immediately went online to learn about other Union Plus programs. I discovered we could get a 15% discount on wireless service from AT&T that's been a big savings. And now I'm looking into applying for Union Plus scholarships for the kids." 

Roybal and his family are definitely making themselves at home in the new place. "My children are so happy to have a place of their own and room to play," he says. "We're really enjoying having a house with a yard." 

And he's making sure his union brothers know about the benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage Program. "I've told a bunch of guys at work," he says. "If you're considering buying a house, you've got to look into Union Plus." 

Considering the purchase or refinance of a home? The Union Plus Mortgage Program offers a full-range of mortgage products.
 

One year into home ownership, Carrie Comer already knows the countless benefits to no longer renting. A longtime apartment-dweller, she bought her first home last year.

“It’s about security, peace of mind, safety, confidence,” said Comer, a member of AFT Local 1 in Chicago, Ill. “I have a son; for him, it’s stability. Home ownership means a lot.”

The sweetness of the security and stability just got a little sweeter for Comer, who was a second-place winner in the Union Plus Home Sweet Home contest.

Homeowners with a Union Plus Mortgage were eligible to win either a first-place prize of two monthly mortgage payments or a second-place prize of one monthly mortgage payment (up to $1500 each). Contestants simply needed to upload a photo of their homes and submit an essay explaining what home ownership means to them.

“I was on the Union Plus website looking for car rental discounts and just came about it, so I decided to apply,” Comer said. “The process was simple as far as uploading the picture and the statement was genuine about what being a homeowner means. It made it pretty easy.”

Perfect Timing

Comer, who teaches preschool special education, said the timing of the prize money was perfect.

“I’m a teacher, so we don’t get paid in the summer,” she said. “They allowed me to choose the month, but June was the perfect month.”

One payment may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but Comer said it goes a long way.

“It makes a huge difference, regardless of whether I was working in the summer or not,” she said. “There’s always something that can be done with extra money. I’m a homeowner now, so I’m finding projects; that’s what I’m going to put it toward. Everything helps in this economy.”

More Security, More Freedom

Comer was introduced to the Union Plus Mortgage program through her mortgage officer, who explained the program to her.

“The process of obtaining it was simple as far as getting someone to sign the paperwork verifying that I am a union member,” she said. “Moving forward, there wasn’t anything that hindered my ability to obtain it.”

That meant freedom from apartment living.

“I had some bad experiences with renting,” Comer said. “You don’t control who’s in your building; you can get a bad tenant below or above you. And I just didn’t feel safe anymore. There are so many more benefits to home ownership as opposed to renting.”

Moreover, the Union Plus Mortgage program meant additional peace of mind.

”My interest rate won’t change; it’s a fixed rate,” said Comer.

The Benefits of a Union Mortgage Program

The Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, has provided $43.6 billion in mortgages to help more than 200,000 union members and their families buy or refinance a home. It is packed with special benefits tailored to meet the needs of active or retired union members, as well as their parents and children, who want to buy or refinance a home. Union members who are first-time buyers even have the opportunity to receive a $500 First-Time Home Award from Union Plus.

Some of the other benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage program include:

• Hardship Assistance – Union Plus Mortgage Assistance helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided almost $10 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
• Award Card – Union members and their families may receive a $500 Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award card after closing on a purchase or refinance loan.*
• Incentive for First-Time Home Buyers – Union members who are first-time buyers can apply for a $500 First-Time Home Award from Union Plus. Active or retired union members who used the Union Plus Mortgage program to purchase their first home are eligible to apply. They simply need to fill out an application and provide a short, written description of their Union Plus Mortgage program experience and why home ownership matters.

Click here to learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage program >>

And if you have a home to buy or sell, look into Union Plus Real Estate Services, which provides discounts to union families, over 6,000 experienced, pre-screened agents nationwide, and even offers a cash-back rebate program, available in most states.

Your union and Union Plus are looking out for you. 

*Eligible individuals can receive the Wells Fargo My Mortgage Gift^SM promotion in the amount of $500.00 approximately 6 weeks after closing on a new purchase or refinance loan secured by a first mortgage or deed of trust with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, subject to qualification, approval and closing, when identifying themselves as eligible under the Union Plus Mortgage program. The My Mortgage Gift^SM promotion is not available with any Wells Fargo Three-Step Refinance SYSTEM® program, The Relocation Mortgage Program^SM or the HOME program. Only one award permitted per new loan. This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount or rebate. This promotion is void where prohibited, transferable, and subject to change or cancellation with no prior notice. Gifts may constitute taxable income. Federal, state and local taxes, and any use of the gift not otherwise specified in the Terms and Conditions provided at receipt of gift are the sole responsibility of the My Mortgage Gift^SM recipient. Please see Terms and Conditions document for more information.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801

Being part of a union family has benefitted Megan McClain of Cedar Lake, IN, throughout her life. Her father's union wages and benefits meant security and opportunity during her childhood. Today, she's still benefitting from her father's UA membership thanks to the Union Plus Mortgage Program, which helped her buy her first new home.

"As a young kid I had no idea what a union was," Megan McClain says. "But my father would go to UA meetings, and my mother would always tell me how important our union health care was. It made me feel secure, knowing I'd be OK."

Her father, Daniel McClain, joined United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 597 when he was 19 years old and recently retired after 41 years.

Megan wanted the feeling of security that comes from owning her own home. "But as a first-time home buyer," she says, "I was nervous for obvious reasons. Will I get approved? Will I be able to get a loan to fit my needs? Will I be able to afford the closing costs?"

First-time home buyers may be unaware that closing costs can add thousands of dollars to the cost of purchasing a home. "I'd heard nothing but haunted stories about closing costs. To my surprise, another perk from Union Plus came my way - they were able to lower my closing costs significantly. Saving big on closing costs is like winning the lottery!"

Union Plus Mortgages Offer a Safety Net

The Union Plus Mortgage Program, which can help union members, their parents and children save $495 or more in closing costs, is a smart choice in tough times. And the tougher the times get, the better it can be to have a union mortgage!

That's because only the Union Plus Mortgage Program comes with assistance benefits. The Mortgage Assistance Program, a union-only program, can cover your Union Plus Mortgage payment if you're out of work due to unemployment, disability, or strike. The program provides interest-free loans to union members, as well as their parents and children, who have had a Union Plus Mortgage for 12 months or more. The first $1,000 of the loan is a grant that never needs to be repaid.

"We went through a strike in my second year as a teacher," McClain, a unionized teacher says. "So I know how valuable that peace of mind can be."

Beyond the savings and peace of mind, there is one more reason to choose a union mortgage. First-time home buyers who choose the Union Plus Mortgage Program may apply for the First-Time Homebuyer Award: a $500 check to help cover costs associated with your new home. Since the program's inception, more than $300,000 have been awarded: the perfect welcome to a new home.

These days McClain just loves being a homeowner. "It is fabulous to wake up, look around, and actually see all your hard work and long-time savings," she says. "I get such a feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment to see how far I have come. The day I was given my keys was the day I finally felt my dream come true. Thanks to Union Plus, a childhood dream became a reality."

From her secure union childhood to the security of homeownership with a union mortgage, unions have helped Megan McClain achieve the American dream. And her father couldn't be more proud. "I'm thankful she could benefit again from my years of union membership," Daniel McClain says.
 

For IBEW Local 25 member Jared Crist, moving his wife, Allison, and two-year old daughter to a new house was important.

He wanted a bigger house for her to grow up in, as well as a better school district for her to attend. Buying a new house in Mount Sinai, NY, while also selling their current home, was quite a task though. That’s where participating SIRVA agent, Cathleen, stepped in.

“Everything she said happened,” Allison recalls. “She guided us through the process of purchasing our new house, and as soon as our offer was accepted she helped list our old home. She was knowledgeable, knew the area, and helped us get multiple offers within one week because she priced it well.”

Allison was paying her Union Plus Credit Card bill when she noticed other services from Union Plus offers. When going through those benefits, she noticed those that offered help with moving. 

“I saw the PODs discounts which I thought would be helpful, but then I noticed the SIRVA Real Estate Rewards program,” Allison said. There is no pressure from SIRVA; they set up multiple interviews with real estate agents and we got to interview them. If you don’t like the ones they set up, they’ll set up more interviews, no questions asked. That wasn’t the case for us, though. Cathleen was our first interview and we loved her,” Allison said.

After the Crist’s offer was accepted, they were speaking with the inspector of their new home.

“I called and they said we were eligible for the Union Plus Mortgage program because my husband was a union member,” Allison said.” We got [a] $500 gift card which was a great benefit with our mortgage.”

Now that the Crist’s are settled into their new house with the help of their SIRVA agent, they can enjoy spending time with their daughter.

“We’re excited we have a house like this for her to grow up in. We couldn’t have done it without Cathleen.”

The Union Plus Real Estate Program, powered by SIRVA¹, offers $50 for every $10,000 in home value after closing when you use a Union Plus Real Estate Rewards agent to buy or sell a home. For example, if you purchase a $250,000 home, you would receive $1,250 back. Every SIRVA agent is pre-screened, with over 4,600 agents participating in the program.

To learn more about the Union Plus benefits offered to IBEW members, visit unionplus.org.