Local Member Benefits

Paul Hanson Scholarship

Paul Hansen
1939 - 2002

Paul Niels Hanson, third president of AFSCME Local 2659, served as president from 1980 until his retirement in 1999 due to medical reasons. Paul was a mason/bricklayer with Local 28 in Waterloo prior to his employment with the University of Northern Iowa where he continued his trade as a mason.

In addition to serving as Local 2659 president, Paul served as AFSCME Iowa Council 61 District 4 Vice President for six years then served as the State Regent’s Policy Chair for 6 years. He served as a Contract Negotiator for many state bargaining sessions. He was a dedicated Union man and was committed to serving the members of Local 2659.

Paul was 63 years old when he passed away on April 14, 2002. He was survived by five children, 2 daughters, Lori Barnes and Jan Hansen, and 3 sons, Scott, Doug, and Derek.

The scholarship was established in 2000 as a living memorial and permanent tribute to Paul Hansen, former President of AFSCME Local 2659 to support AFSCME families continuing post secondary education.

Through the Paul Hansen Scholarship, Paul’s memory lives on for the betterment of the members of Local 2659 and their families for which he so proudly served.

Awards are available for: All fields of study

Purpose: To provide financial support towards educational expenses for AFSCME Local 2659 members, member’s spouse, member’s dependent children as defined under IRS regulations.

Summary: For years AFSCME Local 2659 has focused on workplace issues. The local directs efforts to ensure a safe work environment for its membership and the University clientele we service. AFSCME promotes educational excellence between its rank and file and their dependants.


Eligibility:

  • Local 2659 Union member, spouse, and dependent children (as defined under IRS regulations);
  • One year of continuous good standing union membership.
  • Maintain membership while attending school for the academic year in which the scholarship was awarded;
  • Admission into an accredited college, university, community college, technical or trade school at the time of the award;
  • Must have the equivalent of a C average based on the 4.000 grading system;
  • Must be working towards an undergraduate degree or certification program;
  • Applications must be postmarked by April 30 in order to be considered.
  • Application must include field of study.
  • Do not include social security number on application or transcript.

Award Criteria: An Essay of at least 500 words, but no more than 750 words highlighting the subject, "What Unions Have Done for Working Families."


Applicants wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their application may send a self-addressed, stamped postcard along with the application.

AFSCME Local 2659 will not be able to advise applicants on the status of their application.

Only winners will be sent notification by July 15th.

Applications without an essay included will not be considered for a scholarship.

Local 2659 President, Secretary/Treasurer/ Recording Secretary and Trustees will judge the applications and essay and ensure the application meets the eligibility standard.

Send applications to:
American Federation of State County Municipal Employees Union Local 2659
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA. 50614-0252 319-273-2333
Applications must be postmarked by April 30th.

Sue Jordan Wish Fund

Sue Jordan became an AFSCME Local 2659 member on May 27, 1999, serving as an Executive Board member from 2010-2013 then as a Trustee from 2013 until she needed to go on long term disability due to her battle with cancer.

Sue was a Secretary III at UNI, and her wish was one of support for her fellow Union members. After experiencing the cost associated with a child who needed continued medical care, then with her own battle with cancer and again trying to figure out how to financially make ends meet, she knew the burden this places on the family. Sue was so thankful for the health insurance that the Union negotiated on her behalf, but health insurance doesn’t cover the hidden cost of an illness, such as travel to and from hospitals and doctors, hotel rooms, even meals. Sometimes there isn’t enough time to make a home cooked meal so take out and fast food may be the only option. Sue requested that the Local establish a fund that would provide assistance to members faced with medical out of pocket expenses for themselves or a dependent.

In honor of Sue and her dedication to her fellow brothers and sisters, AFSCME Local 2659 has established the Sue Jordan’s Wish Fund. Sue’s husband Phil made a personal donation, plus additional donations from Sue’s memorial service have been received to establish the Sue Jordan Wish Fund. Local 2659 matched the amount received.

Guidelines for reimbursement from the Sue Jordan Wish Fund
Reimbursement from this fund is limited up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) per calendar year.
To qualify for assistance from the Sue Jordan’s Wish Fund, members of AFSCME Local 2659 need to send a request with a brief explanation as to the reason for the need to the local’s treasurer. Please do not include any medical details. Request can be emailed to [email protected] or campus mail at mail code 0252.

Pending approval at the next Rank and File meeting following receipt of the request the following expenses will be reimbursed;

Mileage will be reimbursed at the Federal Rate. To be reimbursed for mileage, dates of travel to and from care facility, along with odometer readings must be provided.
Reimbursement for meal. Itemized meal receipt that includes the date from the restaurant/cafeteria must be provided.
Reimbursement for groceries, day care or other item(s). Receipt(s) along with a written explanation must be provided.
Wage reimbursement does not qualify.