Sadness has hit Local Lodge 24 once again with the passing of QA Inspector Brian Ratliff.

Brother Ratliff suffered a heart attack yesterday, November 5, 2014.

He has been with the company since December 2001.

We will pass along more details when they become available.

Union Plus Introduces Mortgage Grants for Veterans
November 04, 2014

The American dream of homeownership is far too often out of reach, especially for those who make significant sacrifices to protect our country.

Union Plus wants to make the dream of homeownership a reality for hard-working union members who have served in our armed forces.

Starting November 1, 2014, Union Plus will begin offering the Union Plus Mortgage Veterans Grant to provide qualified union member veterans with a $1,000 grant to help offset the costs of a down payment on a home. The grant will not have to be repaid.

Only 33 percent of veterans report looking for a home within the first year of their return from active duty, citing the high cost of home prices and the inability to come up with a down payment as reasons that deter them.

Union Plus wants to make sure that veterans who have joined a union after their service time receive help in making their dream of homeownership a reality.

To be eligible for a grant, members must meet the following qualifications:

Finance the mortgage of their primary residence through the Union Plus Mortgage program on or after November 1, 2014
Be an active or retired union member of a participating union
Be a veteran of the United States Armed Services
Applications must be submitted within 90 days of closing on a mortgage. Limited funds are available and will be awarded in the order eligible applications are received.

Call 1-866-378-1486 or visit UnionPlus.org/Mortgage to learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage Veterans Grant.

New Contact Info for IAM Employee Assistance Program
November 06, 2014

IAM members needing the confidential services of the IAM Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can contact an EAP facilitator directly at 1-800-788-9044, by email at iameap@iamaw.org, or by calling the Retiree, Community and Membership Services Department at 301-967-3433.

EAP services are available for those needing assistance due to debilitating modern day stressors, which include all forms of psychosocial addictions and depressions. EAP services will work with those in need to help locate professional service providers.

All information remains confidential, with the exception of issues threatening physical danger.