SPOKANE, Wash. – Local TV viewers and motorists scratching their heads in confusion for weeks finally were told last week who is behind a variety of advertisements around the city that proclaimed “It just works for me” – and nothing else.
The TV commercials and billboards had no name and no logo affixed to them – until last week when the newly renamed Union CU was revealed to be the sponsor of the ads.
The so-called guerilla ads are part of a multi-media campaign launched by the 40-year-old credit union, formerly Inland Empire Trades CU, to celebrate the opening of its field of membership to include members of any and all unions and thus a new name, effective Saturday. The new membership base will include anyone in a labor union – nurses, teachers, and state employees – not just trade union members.
As part of its expanded membership, the $8 million credit union also launched the Step Up Program, an effort to lend workers money to help them attain the skills and tools they need to keep their jobs and advance. The credit union is seeking federal grants to support Step Up, which will provide loans up to $5,000, and plans to start the program in October.
Union CU is one of a handful of credit unions that is run and managed by an all union staff and board. Even the CEO is a union member, which is representative of the credit union's membership.
