Discounts are available for union members through the Union Privilege Discount Program. The savings available can be of great help to hard-working families looking to stretch their monthly budgets. Talking about the benefits of the program can be a good way to start the conversation about the greater value of being a union member.

Union Privilege Discount Program

To take part, your Local President must commit to the Discount Program for the long term. This program is not only of interest to potential members, but can help maintain the current membership by providing additional ways to thank current members for their contributions and support. Union Privilege discounts can be one of the more concrete, immediately visible and accessible benefits members have access to.

Setting up the program

  1. Train Local Staff, Executive Board Members, and Stewards on the Discount Program so they understand how it works.
  2. Your Local must be ready to maintain the program.
    • You will need someone to sign up new vendors throughout the year and check to make sure that current vendors are still in business.
    • Lay the ground work by contacting businesses and negotiating with local merchants.
  3. Establish a perpetual merchant agreement that renews itself from year to year with a 30 day cancellation notice by either party.
  4. During this time Local staff can and should contact those business owners and managers so that they know and sign them up on the Merchant Agreement. (After the initial sign up period the Local should be prepared to designate a person to maintain the program).
  5. More is better when signing up merchants; however discretion should be used. Avoid merchants who go against our UFCW values or have a bad reputation in the community.

Creating ID Cards

  1. Take pictures and make IDs for Local Staff, E Board, and Stewards so they can show the ID’s to the members.
  2. Begin taking pictures and making ID’s for members at work sites if possible during breaks, shift changes, etc.
  3. The program has to be visible and motivated by the Stewards and Staff .
  4. Be sure to have Membership Applications available for potential members when you are out taking photos. You don’t want to be caught off guard and inadvertently delay or prevent the sign-up of a worker who wants to join and gain access to the program.
  5. Make sure that the information about the member and their photo match up. Have a system to keep track of it.
  6. After the ID Cards are made distribute them along with the Discount Brochure.

Getting the Word Out

  1. Design the Local Discount Brochure for Distribution to the Members
  2. During Orientation Present the Discount Program as “OFF THE JOB BENEFITS.”

Maintenance of the Program is Key to its Success

  1. Add more vendors whenever you can
  2. Strive for variety in vendors and good representation of services appropriate for your membership.
  3. Thank your vendors, let them know that you appreciate their participation in the program Example: A Holiday Card recognizing their participation in the Discount Program