News from the Fringe Benefits Office
Welfare Fund
- The Trustees approved at the September Board of Trustees meeting to increase the dental benefit from $3,000.00 per person to $5,000.00 effective January 1, 2026 for Plans A & C.
- The Board of Trustees have changed the way the reimbursements are made for Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy benefits, now there will be a $50 co-pay per visit on all Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy visits starting with your first visit. This $50 co-pay does not apply to Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy visits done at the Union Wellness Centers (no copay is required at any of the eight (8) Union Wellness Centers).
- If you need glasses don’t forget to get a Free exam and Free pair of glasses from the Union Eyes clinic. You can get one pair of free glasses before January 1, 2026, and another pair of free glasses after January 1, 2026.
Retirement Savings Fund
- Please be reminded that Empower now has a local Chicago area Retirement Plan Advisor Moises Flores, that you can contact for investment advice. We encourage everyone to utilize this service. You can e-mail him at Moises.Flores@empower.com or you can call his cell phone at (312) 415-4742 to setup a one-on-one appointment. This free service is to help you plan for your retirement.
Members Assistance Program
From the Counselor’s Chair: It’s Okay to Ask for Help
As the weather cools and the leaves start to turn, there is something about fall that invites reflection. The days get shorter, routines shift, and we start to move a little slower. It’s a natural time to take stock, not just of our work and our homes, but of ourselves too.
One thing I have learned over the years working with our members is that we are often the first to lend a hand but the last to reach out when we need one ourselves. We take pride in being reliable, hardworking, and strong. But strength is not just about powering through tough days. Sometimes it is about knowing when to pause, take a breath, and ask for help.
Mental health does not always look like what people imagine. It might show up as irritability on the job, difficulty sleeping, snapping at the people you care about, or just feeling “off” and not quite yourself. Those moments happen to everyone. Life gets heavy sometimes, and when it does, it is okay not to have all the answers.
That is where the Members Assistance Program comes in. The MAP is here to support you, whether you are dealing with stress, relationship struggles, grief, substance use, or just need to talk something out. It is confidential, judgment-free, and made for members and their families. You do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable to reach out. Sometimes just having a conversation can make a world of difference. I have seen firsthand how taking that first step, even a small one, can lead to real change.
So, as the seasons shift and life slows down a bit, take a moment to check in with yourself. If you are feeling stuck, tired, or overwhelmed, please remember that you are not alone. Help is available, and it is okay to use it.
To connect with the Members Assistance Program, reach out confidentially at (630)791-2679 or ashleyt@ibew701fbo.com. We are here when you need us.