Union Plus

Unions Power America FAQs

Answers to your Unions Power America questions — all in one place.

What is Unions Power America? 
The Unions Power America mission is simple and exciting — to recognize and reward union members, the everyday heroes who make a significant impact in our lives. This year, we’re awarding a quarter of a million dollars and additional prizes to some deserving union members who give so much at home, on the job, and in their communities. 

What are the phases and deadlines of Unions Power America?

Unions Power America Contest | July 9-July 30

Union members enter the contest by sharing a story about how they, or a member they admire, are powering America in their community, at work or at home. 

Unions Power America Sweepstakes | July 31-August 21
Union members enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win various prizes and can earn bonus entries by completing additional activities.

Unions Power America Labor Day Celebration | 
Labor Day, Monday, September 2
An exciting virtual celebration to announce the 2024 winners and celebrate every union family in the country. 

★ What are the prizes?

Unions Power America Contest

  • Grand Prize: $50,000 + a trip to Spain
  • First Prize: $20,000
  • Second Prize: $10,000
  • Thirty (30) $2,000 prizes

Unions Power America Sweepstakes

  • Grand Prize: $50,000 + a four-night stay at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in the Dominican Republic
  • First Prize: $5,000 (2 total)
  • Thirty (30) $1,000 prizes 

Additional Prizes

  • Union Moment Prize: $10,000 
  • Labor Day Live Event Prizes: Over $10,000 in trips and gift certificates 

Am I eligible to enter?
Current and retired union members in good standing with a union nationally affiliated with the AFL-CIO are eligible to win a prize in the Unions Power America campaign. 

You must be above the age of 18 and a legal resident of the fifty (50) States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You do not have to be a union member to nominate an eligible union member in the Unions Power America Contest or to watch and enjoy the live virtual event on Labor Day. 

Why isn’t my union listed in the drop-down menu on the entry form?
Only unions nationally affiliated with the AFL-CIO are eligible and able to be selected from the list.

If my entry is not going through, what can I do?
Confirm you have completed all the required fields and checked the required boxes. For the contest, ensure your written or video entry is within the size limits listed on the entry form. Written entries should be 300-600 words. Video entries should not exceed 5 minutes long or 500 MB.  

Successful entries will see a confetti image after entry and you will receive a confirmation email after entry. 

What if I can’t see the page or the entry form?
Contest or sweepstakes forms may not be visible on restricted networks (i.e. at a government workplace). Please try to access the entry page from home or another network. 

How do I know if my entry was received? 
Successful entries will see a confetti image on the screen and receive a confirmation email after entry.

Can my entry be accepted after the deadline?   
Unfortunately, to ensure fair consideration for all participants, entries must be received by the deadline to be considered.

Avoid technical issues and other potential delays by submitting your entry early and checking local time zone differences (our deadlines are governed by Eastern Time). 

Can I nominate a group in the contest?
Unfortunately, we do not accept group entries. However, you may nominate an outstanding member of a team. 

Can I submit more than one entry in the contest?
No, to avoid automated entries and ensure genuine nominations, we’ll consider only one entry per nominator. 

How will I be notified if I win?
Most winners get their first notification during the Labor Day live event. Tune in to see if you’re a winner! Individual winners will be contacted at the phone number and email address provided on the entry form. 

Please use a valid phone number and an email address that you check frequently. If you do not respond to a winner notice by the deadline in the email notice, your prize may be forfeited.

How do I know if my prize notification is genuine?

  1. Ensure the email address of the sender is from "@unionplus.org" or "@unionprivilege.org." We never contact winners from any other email platforms.
  2. Call the main phone number for Union Plus (800-472-2005) and ask to be connected to the person who contacted you. 
  3. A Unions Power America team member will be able to confirm real details from your entry so feel free to confirm with the caller or email sender. 
  4. No one at Union Plus will ever ask you to pay upfront to receive a prize.  

Why do I have to fill out tax information if I win?
The IRS requires us to issue a 1099-MISC form to winners of prizes over $600. Winners will be asked to provide the information necessary to issue this form before January 31, 2025.

Who do I contact if I have a question that is not listed here?
If you have a question not included here, please send an email to unionspoweramerica@unionplus.org, and allow up to three business days for a response.  

Sponsor Acknowledgement
Thank you to our sponsors, whose generous contributions have made the Unions Power America prizes possible.