UAW Local 716 Updates

		UAW Local 716 Updates

UAW Local 716 Fort Smith Arkansas

Laid off members of Local 716 can find help navigating their job searches by going to the above website. You can click the above caption or type http://www.state.ar.us/esd/index.htm in your web browser.

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Dear Arkansas Leader,

We have word that the first vote in the Senate could be as early as Friday. I am asking all local unions to send a letter to Senator Lincoln this week.

Following is a simple, straightforward letter that you can use. I am asking you to take a moment, cut and paste that letter to your own local union letterhead, fill in the blanks for your union, and send it on to Senator Blanche Lincoln’s office, just as soon as you are able.

I want to thank the following leaders who have already sent a letter to Senator Blanche Lincoln, on union letterhead, asking her to support true Healthcare Reform. In no particular order, they are:

UA 155, Matt Fair
SMWIA 36, Steve Roofener
IUPAT 424, Lindsay Brown
Ironworkers 321, Bobby Garmoe
LIUNA 1282, David Peeler
AEA (Education Union ), Donna Morey
IBEW 807, Ron Lynch
IBEW 295, Bobby Thornton
IBB 69, Frank Brown
IUOE 382, Bill Wright
UTU Statewide, Steve Evans
AFSCME District Council 38, Jim Nickles
IAM W2, Kelvin Godwin

Please send the letter to:

Senator Blanche Lincoln

912 W Fourth Street

Little Rock AR 72201

Please fax a copy of your letter to me at 501 375 8217. I want to keep a record of all that we’re doing, and to make certain that the National AFL -CIO knows of the extraordinary efforts on the part of the Arkansas Labor Movement.

Sincerely,

Alan B. Hughes, President

(Date)

Dear Senator _________:

I write to you on behalf of the (# of members) members of the (name of union and local union #) to urge your support for strong health care legislation.

We are close to true healthcare reform, but we are not there yet. Senator ________, what you do over the next few weeks will play a big part in achieving real reform at long last. Below are the key issues that must be addressed in any healthcare reform legislation:

· We must have a robust public option.

· Employers have to pay a fair share of the costs.

· Health care can’t be paid for by a new tax on middle class benefits.

The working families of (the name of your state) sent you to Washington to bring back quality, affordable healthcare. We hope that we can count on your support and leadership on this critical issue. (the name of your state) needs real health care reform now.

Sincerely,

We've been rightfully celebrating House passage of a historic health care reform bill, but our work is far from over. Now it is the Senate's turn. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday night. (It is available online here.)

The first vote on the floor of the Senate is scheduled for Saturday at 8pm Eastern. Please call Senator Lincoln now, and ask for her to keep the process moving: 1-800-352-9364

Passing a real reform bill in the House was a truly a momentous achievement, but enormous challenges remain. To keep the process moving forward, it is critical that the Senate start to debate its health care reform bill now.

Let the health care reform debate continue. Call Senator Lincoln now and let us know what response you get: 1-800-352-9364

We still have not received a commitment from Senator Lincoln that she will vote to allow debate to move forward on Healthcare. Please continue to call and ask her to support Healthcare Reform. The numbers to call are 202-224-4843 or 1-800-352-9364.

As layoffs increase, union members facing financial hardship can turn to Union Plus benefits for help.

Laid-off Union Plus Credit Cardholders may be eligible for job loss grants. Click here to find out more.

More resources for union members facing financial hardship:

Mortgage Assistance

The Union Plus Save My Home Hotline may be able to help you avoid foreclosure. Call 1-866-490-5361.
If you are a Union Plus mortgage holder and you are laid off, you can also apply for an interest-free loan from the Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program. See details here.

Budgeting Assistance

Receive a free budget analysis when you call Union Plus Credit Counseling at 1-877-833-1745. If you want additional help, you can enroll in a debt management plan (DMP) with no set-up fee and full reimbursement for the first year's monthly fees.
Be sure to take advantage of other consumer advice, tools and calculators at UnionDebtHelp.org.
More budgeting tips and credit education 101 are available here.

Health-Related Assistance

The Union Plus Health Savings includes a free prescription card and discounts at participating pharmacies and other health care providers.

If you have large, unreimbursed hospital bills, you may be eligible for a hospital care grant.

Bankruptcy Assistance

If you need to file for bankruptcy, you can take the required bankruptcy counseling through Union Plus Credit Counseling and the usual $50 filing fee will be waived. Call the special bankruptcy line at 1-866-279-7197.
Read more about bankruptcy counseling and bankruptcy education.
And use the Union Plus Legal Service for a bankruptcy lawyer's discounted fees.

Union Plus Credit Cardholders are eligible for special assistance

If you are out of work at least 90 days within the last 6 months, you can apply for $250 through the Union SAFE Job Loss Grant.
You may also be eligible to skip two credit card payments a year. If you find you will be late making a payment or want to take advantage of the skip payment, call the Union Plus Credit Card at 1-800-622-2580 before your payment is due to see if you qualify.
If you are on a prolonged strike or lock-out, you may be eligible for the special Strike Skip Pay where you can skip up to 4 months per year, 3 of them consecutively. Call 1-800-622-2580.

Union Plus Insurance term life insurance policyholders

Life Saver

If you are unemployed for 30 days or more, you can have your Union Plus life insurance premium payment waived for up to three months. Call Union Plus Insurance (formerly UnionSecure) at 1-800-393-0864 for details and to set up your payment waiver.

See the whole range of Union Plus layoff assistance.

And visit the Unemployment Lifeline site for resources in your area.

Support your Local 716.

Gellco is an option for purchasing safety shoes and with a voucher from Trane, employees receive a 5% discount.

Safety Shoe Policy--click here

Let us know if there are any events or updates you would like to share with fellow members.

UAW Local 716

www.uaw716.com
5523 South 28th Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Phone: 479-646-1071
Fax: 479-646-2941

E-mail: uaw716@cox.net