As a welder and 10-year member of IAM Local 1297, Melvin Reese knows a thing or two about working when the “heat is on,” but when illness kept him off the job, his stress level hit a boiling point. The costs of his wife’s monthly prescriptions were also adding up. Fortunately, Reese discovered the Union Plus Disability Grant and the Union Plus Prescription Discount Card to lessen the financial stress of illness.
“I have carried a Union Plus Credit Card for years and I’m glad I did because it made me eligible to receive a Union Plus Disability Grant. It was a tremendous help to my family,” says Reese, of Cleveland Heights, OH, who received $1,250 in assistance. “I’ve since learned of other Union Plus discounts and benefits available to union members. In addition to enjoying a 15% discount on my AT&T cell phone service, I recently signed up for the Union Plus Prescription Card. The discount card is definitely saving my family money.”
“Union Plus benefits can provide members with help when they need it most, especially during these difficult times,” said IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Warren Mart. “I congratulate Brother Reese and his family, and encourage all IAM members to take advantage of the programs available through Union Plus.”
Union members who have had the Union Plus Credit Card for at least one year, have been out of work for at least 90 days, and who experienced a loss of 25 percent or more of household income due to the illness or disability within the past six months may be eligible for disability assistance.
The Union Plus Prescription Discount Card, which comes at no cost, provides automatic savings of an average of 15 percent off brand name drugs and 40 percent off generic drugs. The card is best for union members who do not have insurance that covers prescriptions or who have household family members with insufficient prescription coverage. Spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, aunts and uncles of union members are all eligible for the no-cost prescription discount card.
To learn about the Union Plus benefits available to IAM members including discounts on AT&T wireless service, college test preparation, car rentals, legal services, health savings and much more, visit www.UnionPlus.org.
