Aug. 28 marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. To commemorate the historic 1963 march, the AFL-CIO, in partnership with Union Plus, announced today a new Dreams of Jobs and Freedom Scholarship program.    

The scholarships will provide $5,000 each to at least 50 talented high school seniors—including those from union families—to help pay for the costs of higher education.

With student loan debt surpassing $1 trillion, Union Plus is now offering grants to assist young labor activists with the high cost of their student loans.

Young labor activists who work full-time for an eligible labor union or affiliated labor organization can apply for a grant of up to $2,000 to help pay off their student loans.

The 2013 Union Plus Scholarship application is now available but time is running out to apply. A complete application must be received on or before 12 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

How does the Union Plus Scholarship Program work?

"5 Fun Union-Made Desserts for the Holidays" is a cross-post from Union Plus. 

No holiday tradition competes with the family meal. Between desserts decorated full of cheer and marvelous meats that melt in your mouth, ‘tis the season for a full stomach. Luckily for union members, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) and the United Farm Workers (UFW) have an amazing variety of ingredients such as Hershey’s chocolate and Montpelier Almonds to create the most delicious and view-licious recipes. Here are five fun holiday dessert recipes to help you be union, buy union and bake union.

If you missed the start of the Union Plus Scavenger Hunt, there's still time to play. On Monday mornings through Nov. 5, Union Plus will provide a clue relating to a union member benefit. All you have to do is either text or email the correct answer by midnight of Thursday of that week.

Each week, a $25 Entertainment Discount E-Certificate will be awarded. A $150 Grand Prize Entertainment Discount E-Certificate will be awarded at the end of the Scavenger Hunt.

Go to the Union Plus blog to learn how to play. 

Read the Union Plus Scavenger Hunt contest rules.

Ever forget a birthday or to send flowers on Mother’s Day? Let Rosie the Riveter remind you. Union members can now have their own personal reminders sent via text or email with the Union Plus Rosie’s Reminder Service.  

The unique service creates online reminders, so you will never miss another important date again.

Have you ever been browsing the aisles of the grocery store hoping to remember all those union-made products the AFL-CIO Now blog wrote about? Or maybe you’re at the toy store trying to find that perfect gift that’s made in America? Union Plus has a simple solution if you left your shopping list at home.

On your mobile device:

• Text CARS to 22555 for union-made vehicles.
• Text BEER to 22555 for union-made beer.
• Text PETS to 22555 for union-made pet products.
• Text CANDY to 22555 for union-made candy.
• Text TOYS to 22555 for union-made toys.

Our friends at Union Plus want you to know that with Labor Day approaching, you can celebrate the benefits of your union membership with several money saving programs and, at the same time, support your union brothers and sisters who provide the services or make the goods.  

You can save money on wireless service and smartphones with AT&T, the only national unionized wireless provider. Go to UnionPlus.org/ATT and save 15 percent on select data and phone plans. In addition, when you use your Union Plus Credit Card to buy a smartphone from AT&T, you'll get a rebate up to $100.

USA

This week, leading up to July 4, we're highlighting American products, jobs and stories for our Made in America series. What are your favorite Made in America products? Please comment and share your ideas.

Beer is as American as apple pie and baseball, and fortunately there is a wide selection of American, union-made beers to choose from.

For a lengthy list of union-made beers, visit the Union Plus website.

Here are some highlights:

USA

This week, leading up to July 4, we're highlighting American products, jobs and stories for our Made in America series. What are your favorite Made in America products? Please comment and share your ideas.

What could be more “Made in America” than a good old USA summer vacation that’s union-made, too? Here are some travel tips from Union Plus. If you are headed for a major theme park, many are staffed by union members, including the 36,000 union workers from 18 unions at the Disney Parks in Anaheim, Calif., and Orlando, Fla. On top of that, several offer discounts through Union Plus, click here.