Thought For Fuel

Published July 25, 2008, 2:09 p.m. EDT

Updated August 27, 2020, 1:07 a.m. EDT

2 Min Read

Penn. CUs React To Gas Prices

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HARRISBURG, Penn.–The Pennsylvania CU Association reports credit unions across the state are responding to higher gas prices in different ways, including:

* Employees of A. T. & T. Employees Pittsburgh FCU are compensated $2 for each day they work, with reimbursement on a monthly basis.

* Incol CU, Old Forge, has adjusted its monthly staff meeting schedule. Rather than asking all employees to drive to the main office for the meeting, information packets are sent out to branch employees in advance, and the meetings are conducted via conference call.

* Timberland FCU, DuBois, is purchasing fuel cards for area gas stations in order to get a 5% discount. The cards, in turn, are sold to employees at the discount. It also received permission to resell the cards to members as a fundraiser. A $50 gas card is being sold for $48.50, with$1 going to charity for each card sold.

* Employees at Viriva Community Credit Union, Philadelphia, are working to better coordinate trips between its five branches, and the CU is enforcing carpooling among employees when staff meetings are held at one location.

* The PCUA said it has appointed a six-person task force to research and provide recommendations on what could be done to help its employees.

Neighborhood CU Offers Gas Card

DALLAS–With gas prices up 1,500% compared to when Neighborhood CU was chartered in 1930, the $254-million CU is giving all of its employees monthly $25 gas gift cards.

“My gas bill is nearly $500 a month,” said NCU employee Debbie Holley. “These days, every little bit helps. Companies can say they are concerned when employees are struggling like we are today with high gas prices. But Neighborhood Credit Union put its money where its mouth is. I’ve never worked for anyone who did that.”

Recognizing the unique effort that Neighborhood CU is making to try to ease employees’ pain at the pump, Dallas’ NBC 5 and WBAP News/Talk 820 shared the gas gift card story with viewers and listeners in the DFW Metroplex.

“We believe in the ‘people-helping-people’ credit union concept, so our motivation behind this summer’s gas gift card initiative is simply to try and help our employees deal with costly commutes,” said Chet Kimmell, CEO of Neighborhood CU. “To receive local television coverage for the initiative is a tremendous bonus and affirmation that doing the right thing can pay extra dividends.”