Goodbye, Sallie Mae

For decades, the Student Loan Marketing Association — known as Sallie Mae — was the source of accurate information on the funding of higher education. In fact, the association was part of the family of services officially supported by the AFL-CIO's Union Plus program. But when Pennsylvania Council 13's officers learned that Sallie Mae had contracted call centers to India, they decided to blow the whistle.

There was a ready-made alternative: America Education Services/ Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, whose employees belonged to Local 1224 (Council 90). AFSCME International took the facts to Union Plus, which cancelled Sallie Mae's contract and switched providers.

Now if you need advice on higher education financing, call 1-877-881-1022. You'll find an AFSCME sister or brother at the other end of the line. For more information go to AFSCME and click on AFSCME Members Only Benefits.

"This has been really good for us," says Local 1224 Pres. Susie Sprenkle. "People are already finding our number on the Union Plus Web site and calling in. It's also encouraging our members to learn more about the union."