The Union Credit Union

The Union Credit Union is a natural person credit union chartered to serve union members. A national advocate for unions and union members, it is headquartered in Spokane, WA.

In 1968 members of Bricklayers Local 3 founded The Union Credit Union as a not-for-profit means of obtaining loans and saving money. Originally the credit union served only trade union members and was named, Inland Empire Trades Credit Union. Today members from any union can belong and bank at The Union Credit Union. The families of union members, union employers and unions can also hold accounts and obtain loans at The Union Credit Union.

Advocacy

The credit union's mission is to provide union members with a not-for-profit banking alternative. The Union Credit Union is the only remaining credit union in the United States run by an all union staff, board and management. The credit union has positioned itself as an outspoken advocate against union-affiliated credit unions merging into community chartered credit unions resulting in the loss of unique services to union members.

Employees

The Union Credit Union has an all union staff, all union volunteer board of directors and the CEO is also a union member. Demaris Krummel is the CEO of The Union Credit Union.

Services

The Union Credit Union allows union members to skip loan payments during difficult times, including a union strike. Members can obtain a Step-Up Loan for tools, job training or college. The credit union handles payroll for union shops.

Partnerships

The Union Credit Union has partnerships with the following unions to serve their members:
* Washington State Labor Council
* Asbestos Workers Local 82
* Bricklayers Local 3 (Spokane/Montana)
* Carpenters Local 98
* Cement Masons
* Communications Workers of America Local 7818
* Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 44
* Roofers Local 189
* Sheet Metal Workers Local 66
* Inland Northwest Apprenticeship Coordinators Council
* Inland Northwest Electrical Training Trust
* Spokane Regional Labor Council
* Washington Federation of State Employees
* United Steelworkers of America

Grant Program

The "Step-Up Program" is a consumer financial education and workforce development program to help the 2.7 million union workers in Washington state to take the next step up in life. Below market rate, not-for-profit Step-Up Loans are offered to union workers at their place of employment and union halls. The loans are used to cultivate new skills and obtain tools that support workforce development, transitioning and enhancing the skills of our employed workforce with the changing economy. This is an alternative to early intervention-helping working people to keep their current jobs and remain relevant even as the world changes.

For union workers, ongoing access to job training, provided for by the Step-Up Program, is a proactive solution to the challenges the new global economy poses. This program is the first of its kind in the nation to address workforce development, before early intervention.

The program stems from a understanding of the financial needs of union workers and their impact to the economy. The program was conceptualized from the historical writings of Edward Filene’s vision in founding both unions and credit unions in the United States to serve the employees of Filene's Department Store. Filene was an advocate for workers' rights and supported his staff in collective bargaining. He also was a founder of the Chamber of Commerce - understanding what was good for employees was also good for business.

The credit union sees a need for the Step-Up Program. Union councils and state agencies across the United States are diligently working and desperately searching for an innovative solution to addresses the problem of displaced workers. The best programs to date provide “early intervention” after the worker is displaced.

This program is the first of its kind to create a reality where labor, finance and governmental agencies are working together to keep people in their current jobs. Its proponents say it is good for individuals, businesses and Washington’s economy.

References

*cite news|url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/business/story.asp?ID=255235| title=Credit union reaches out to workers. Low-interest loans offered to members of labor groups| last=Dryden|first=Carley |work=Spokane Spokesman-Review |accessdate=2008-09-18

External links

* [http://www.theunioncreditunion.com/ The Union Credit Union]