Ask the Expert: Why Union Workers Need Disability Income Protection

A union member may have excellent healthcare coverage, access to skilled physicians, and strong support from the union. But when an injury or illness prevents that member from working, another problem can quickly emerge: the medical bills may be covered, but the paycheck may stop.

This is especially important for skilled trade and transportation workers whose livelihoods depend on their physical ability to lift, climb, drive, operate equipment, and remain on their feet for long periods. A back condition, knee injury, shoulder problem, or serious illness can interrupt that income for weeks or months—even when the condition is unrelated to work.

We asked Andy Haley, co-founder of Union One, why disability insurance should be considered an essential part of financial protection for union workers and their families.

Your ability to work is one of your greatest assets

For skilled trade and transportation workers, the body is an essential tool of the job. Years of lifting, climbing, driving, operating equipment, working on your feet, and performing physically demanding tasks can take a serious toll.

Even common musculoskeletal conditions involving the hips, knees, back, shoulders, or neck can prevent a union member from working for weeks or months.

Health insurance does not replace a paycheck

Many injuries and illnesses that prevent members from working are not job-related and therefore may not be covered by workers’ compensation.

A member may have excellent health insurance to help pay for medical treatment but still have no paycheck coming in during recovery. That lost income can affect mortgage or rent payments, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other household expenses.

Income protection supports a healthier recovery

Disability income protection can give members the ability to take the time needed to recover, use their medical benefits, protect their household finances, and return to work healthier and stronger.

For union members whose income depends on their ability to physically perform the job, protecting the paycheck is not optional. It is part of protecting the career.

The Expert’s Takeaway Health insurance helps pay for care. Workers’ compensation generally applies to qualifying work-related injuries and illnesses. Disability insurance helps protect a portion of a worker’s income when a covered illness or injury prevents the worker from doing the job. Because insurance terms and eligibility vary, use careful language such as “may,” “can,” “covered condition,” and “subject to the policy’s terms.” Avoid implying that every policy covers every absence.

About Andy Haley

Mr. Haley is an accomplished entrepreneur experienced in taking a vision and building it into a successful enterprise. Specialties include building a national sales force, recruiting and training sales force to be successful in new markets, and providing solutions for complex and difficult to insure cases.

Under his guidance Union One has grown to the nations leader in providing voluntary income replacement benefits to labor union members of nearly every working craft. Union One plans provide unions and their members access to guaranteed approved, affordable short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance. Union One plans are no cost to the union, add no administrative burdens to Union Leaders and are completely voluntary (opt-in) to Union Members. Union One has solved the problem unions have faced for more than 150 years. Employers aren’t willing to provide and pay for voluntary benefits and labor unions aren’t staffed or experienced to educate, enroll, service, and claims advocate for income protection insurance benefits. Union One handles everything and our Union partners receive all of the recognition and goodwill for bringing these valuable benefits to their members. Union One plans not only provide members with great income protection but they serve as valuable recruiting and retention tools for the Union.