Union Savings Program

Union Savings offers members of participating Canadian unions and labour organizations savings, discounts and special features on a range of goods and services. A service of the Canadian Union Advantage Benefit Programs, it is administered by leading representatives of the labour movement.

CWA Canada members are eligible for the following programs:

Cellphone
Credit card
Insurance (Accident)
Insurance (Critical Illness)
Insurance (Group Home & Auto)
Insurance (Long Term Care)
Legal Services
Mortgage Consulting
Real Estate Savings

Cellphone

This Bell Mobility / Aliant cellphone package offers significant savings to existing and new customers. The basic monthly fee has now been reduced to $20 with many free options and features: 250 free anytime minutes per month; free local calling evenings and weekends.

Other free options:

• Call display and voice mail
• Call waiting
• Call forwarding
• Three-way calling
• Conference calling

There is no activation fee (save $35) when you sign up for the Union Savings cellphone package, which also gives you a $50 billing credit on the first invoice and discounts on long-distance calls.

There are slight differences in the package depending on where in Canada you live. (It is currently not available in Manitoba or Saskatchewan.) For details, visit the Union Savings website.

Existing Bell Mobility or Aliant customers should phone the provider and ask to move your plan to the Union Savings program reference NODE #107339897. You will be asked your current cellular number, Union name and Local number for proof of membership in CWA Canada. (Don't know your Local number? Look it up here.) Bell Mobility's customer service: 1-800-667-0123. Aliant customers call Down East Communications at 1-800-267-1110.

More information about this offer can be found on the Union Savings web site.

Credit card

The Union Savings Mosaik Mastercard from Bank of Montreal is a lower interest rate, lower fees credit card with more benefits and options. Union members have two loyalty reward programs from which to choose: free AIRMILES or Free CashBack with no annual fee.

You choose the interest rate you want to pay: 16.9 per cent with no annual fee, or 10.9 per cent with a $20 annual fee.

Existing cardholders with the Low Rate Option of 12.9 per cent and a $10 annual fee, or the 16.9 per cent interest with no annual fee, can switch to the new option of 10.9 per cent with a $20 annual fee by calling 1-800-263-2263.

Other features include:

• Emergency strike skip payment privileges
• Emergency cash and card replacement
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• January and September skip payment privileges
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty insurance
• Global assist
• Payment grace period
• Optional credit card balance insurance
• Personal loan discounts of up to 1.0 per cent on loans of $5,000 or more
• Interest rate premium of 0.5 per cent on GICs and RICs
• Personal line of credit interest rate at the Bank’s base rate (currently the bank’s prime lending rate plus one per cent) for an unsecured personal line of credit of $5,000 or more

Members of CWA Canada can click here to apply online for the Mosaik Mastercard.

Accident Insurance

This is a comprehensive accident insurance plan with exclusive union member benefits. Types of coverage in this plan include hospitalization, intensive care, fracture, permanent and total disability, paralysis, loss of or loss of use of arm, hand, leg, foot, loss of sight, loss of speech, rehabilitation, trauma counselling and accidental death.

Provided by ACE INA Insurance, the plan allows a person who is off work as a result of a strike or lockout to have the premium waived for up to six months – with no reduction in benefits.

Choose a a comprehensive plan with accidental death coverage of $50,000 for as little as $9.75 per month or get $2,500 of accident insurance coverage free for one year just for registering.

Click here for more information or call an ACE INA customer service representative toll-free at 1-877-534-3655.

Critical Illness Insurance

The Union Savings Critical Illness Insurance Plan is available to all union members, their spouses and family members, between the ages of 18 and 64 inclusive. Coverage extends until age 70.

When you're diagnosed with one of the 15 Critical Illnesses listed, Union Savings Critical Illness Insurance provides you with a lump sum payment to cover any expenses you choose, seek alternative treatment elsewhere, modify your home, or even take a well needed vacation.

You choose how much coverage you need — from $5,000 all the way up to $100,000. Coverage is available in increments of $5,000. Premiums are based on your age, sex and smoking status.

Details and application information can be found on the Union Savings website.

Group Home & Auto Insurance

Members of CWA Canada can now obtain home and auto insurance at group rate savings. Coverage is available for recreational vehicles, cottages, pleasure craft and more. Plus, you have the option of ensuring that your auto insurance premium won't rise if you have an accident, even if you're at fault. (Not available in provinces with government-run auto insurance plans.)

Call 1-877-787-7021 for a quote on your vehicle, home, tenants and condominium insurance needs. Be sure to say you want the special Union Savings rate.

Or submit a quote request form from the Union Savings web site. You will then be contacted for additional information and provided with a quote that will show you how much money you can save with the Aviva Traders Group Insurance plan.

Long Term Care Insurance

The Long Term Care Insurance Plan is available to all union members, their spouses and eligible family members, between the ages of 20 and 75 inclusive. Eligible family members include children and their spouses, siblings and their spouses, and parents.

Your out-of-pocket home care expenses are reimbursed up to $100 per day, up to the lifetime benefit maximum, and are paid on a monthly basis. The ACE Life Long Term Care Insurance Plan allows you to choose between a $50,000 and a $100,000 lifetime benefit maximum amount.

More details on the Long Term Care Insurance plan and an application form are available on the Union Savings website.

Legal Services

Members of CWA Canada are now eligible to sign up for the Law Protector Plan™ to obtain affordable legal services pertaining to estate, family, real estate, small business, civil and criminal law.

Through membership in one of three legal assistance plans provided by Law Protector International, you can secure the services of experienced lawyers in Canada or the United States for significantly less than average national rates.

1. LawCALL Annual cost: $45 + TX

Unlimited toll-free preliminary telephone guidance from experienced lawyers. You can upgrade to one of the LPI's enhanced legal assistance plans and receive a 100-per-cent credit for the price paid for this service towards the upgrade.

2. LPI LawNET Annual cost: $132 + TX

In addition to telephone guidance from experienced lawyers, LawNET includes the following:

• One 1/2 hour free in-office legal consultation.
  
• Two free telephone calls by a lawyer to third parties.
  
• Two free legal letters to third parties.
  
• Preferred rates for specific personal legal services.
  
• Preferred hourly rates for nonspecific legal service.
  
• Affordable legal rate services when travelling in United States.

FEE SCHEDULE: Quebec | Other provinces

3. LawNET — Business "Plus" Annual cost: $245 + TX

If you own a small business, this plan is for you. It has all of the benefits of the regular LawNET plan plus preset discounted rates for a wide range of commonly used business legal services. This plan also includes the following:

• 6 telephone calls by a lawyer to third parties.
  
• 6 legal letters by a lawyer to third parties.
  
• 1/2 hour free initial in-office consultation.
  
• Current bonus for new subscribers – Two free Powers of Attorney.

FEE SCHEDULE: Quebec | Other provinces

To purchase a Law Protector Plan™ call toll free 1-866-660-6628 or in Toronto call 416-920-9777. To receive the special Union Savings legal assistance discounts, you must specify that you're a member of CWA Canada and provide the name and number of your Local.

Mortgage Consulting

CWA Canada members can access the services of First Affinity Financial Corporation to obtain comprehensive assistance in getting the best mortgage rates and complete guidance in all aspects of obtaining a mortgage. First Affinity is a mortgage consulting service with the lowest mortgage rates in the market.

First Affinity acts as a professional negotiator for the union member, not the financial institution. There is no risk, no fees, no obligation to obtain:

• Complete residential or commercial mortgage consulting services
• Mortgage options at more than 30 financial institutions with one application / one credit search, ensuring you of the best mortgage rate
• Step-by-step guidance for first time buyers, and pre-approved mortgages
• Renewal and refinancing services on existing mortgages
• Provide the best available mortgage rate by arranging for the financial institution to compete for your mortgage

For more information, visit the First Affinity Financial website or call toll-free 1-866-599-9799.

Real Estate Savings

Union Savings has teamed up with a leading office of Royal LePage to provide union members superior real estate services anywhere in Canada.

Members who buy or sell a home in Canada can receive a 10-per-cent rebate* on the commission payable (exclusive of GST or any other taxes) to your selling or buying agent (see Terms and Conditions for details).

Union Savings members also receive:

• A no-cost comparative market analysis to establish a suggested selling price for your home
  
• Guaranteed marketing, both print and on-line and open houses until your home is sold
  
• Property photos included on mls.ca (Multiple Listing Service) and Royal LePage.ca web sites.

This offer is not available through individual Royal LePage offices. To take advantage of the program, contact the co-ordinator, Steven DiGiovanni, an independent sales representative with Royal LePage Credit Valley Real Estate, or call 1-866-965-5252 and ask to speak to a Real Estate Member Savings Associate. You can also send an email message to info@realestatemembersavings.com or submit a questionnaire form on the Union Savings website.

* Residents of Alberta and Nova Scotia, where local laws prohibit rebates from such transactions, will receive gift cards from Westfair/Loblaws in thanks for participating in the program.