When Finances Stall, Union Plus Provides A Jump Start For ATU Member

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Times are tough for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 – service cuts loom large, job performance is under heavy scrutiny, and the safety of both passengers and drivers is a constant concern. Throw a career-threatening injury into the mix, and the stress level soars to new heights, as Elreater Patterson (r), of Fort Washington, MD, recently discovered. Patterson, an 11-year member of ATU, never doubted her union would protect her rights when tendonitis temporarily forced her off the job last summer, but she worried about the cut in pay. Ironically, it was while paying her credit card bill online that she gained some peace of mind. Holders of the Union Plus Credit Card who are out of work due to illness or injury are eligible for Union Plus Disability Grants of up to $2,000. “I was really surprised to read about the grants,” says Patterson. “I applied right away and almost dropped the phone when I found out that I would be getting help. I was so excited. It couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s easy to get behind when you don’t have a regular check coming in. The Union Plus Disability Grant helped me pay utility bills and other household expenses.” Patterson received $1,450 in financial assistance from Union Plus just weeks after applying for the grant. The Union Plus Disability Grants application is designed to offer a speedy response, so that workers can get immediate financial relief.  “When you’re dealing with physical pain, you don’t want to worry so much about your financial health too,” says Patterson. “I feel fortunate that I have a union that represents us so well in the workplace and fights for good benefits like health care insurance. But some benefits aren’t as well known. The Union Plus Disability Grant program is a great union benefit that I hope every union member learns about.” The hard work of physical therapy is winding down and Patterson’s tendonitis has eased considerably. In fact, she is excited soon to be returning to work, starting with light duty. She knows it won’t be long before she is once again driving passengers safely through the streets and neighborhoods of the nation’s capital. Union Plus Disability Grants are part of a comprehensive package of Union Plus benefits called Union SAFE, which help union members make ends meet during difficult economic times. If you have had a Union Plus Mortgage, Credit Card, or Insurance Policy for at least a year and are facing financial difficulty, help may be available through the Union Plus SAFE program. Visit UnionPlus.org/UnionSAFE for more information on education, job loss and hospital grants that are available. To learn about the more than 40 Union Plus programs available to ATU members, visit UnionPlus.org. In addition to its credit card, mortgage and credit counseling programs, Union Plus offers discounts on AT&T wireless service, Goodyear tires, movie tickets and much more.