Member Benefits

The Worthington Education Association recently marked the fiftieth anniversary of its founding, and it is truly remarkable to stop and consider all that we have accomplished over those five decades by working together on behalf of our public schools, our profession, and the students we serve. Through your active membership today, you will likewise be able to contribute to the future success of our colleagues who are yet to come.  Your membership is both a vital investment in your own professional career and a way to help ensure the success of your colleagues.


There are many specific benefits of Association membership, including the following:

  • Economic Benefits – As you well know, the level of salary and benefits we earn as employees are a direct result of bargaining by the Association.  You may not be as aware that there are dozens of other financial benefits specifically for members, including DUES-TAB life insurance, attractive savings and investment programs from NEA, discounts for personal legal services, special opportunities for professional development and university credit, and even cellular phone service discounts.
     
  • Peace of Mind – In today’s litigious environment, teachers are too often the target of costly lawsuits and accusations.  Your Association dues pay for an extensive legal services plan and a $1 million liability insurance policy that provides protection for your career in much the same way your homeowner’s policy protects your second largest asset.  This is on top of the work we do every day to ensure the enforcement of our contract.
  • Professional Advocacy – Every day, political bodies from the U.S. Congress to the Ohio Legislature to the Worthington Board of Education make decisions that affect our professional lives in the classroom and beyond.  If we didn’t have a unified organization, how would we advance our interests in keeping a strong retirement system, protecting bargaining rights, and providing adequate educational funding?  
     
  • A Collective Voice – Perhaps the greatest benefit of our organization is the strength of our numbers.  The 2.7 million members of the NEA, the 128,000 members of the OEA, the 25,000 members of the Central OEA/NEA, and the 800 members of the WEA have accomplished much by working together. 

  • Member-Only Benefits - The Ohio Education Association (OEA) & The National Education Association (NEA)

NEA MEMBER BENEFITS & SERVICES INCLUDE:

Financial

Credit Cards

Home Loans

Education & Personal Loans

Savings & Investments

Retirement

Insurance

Life Insurance

Health Insurance

Health Discounts

Home & Auto Insurance

Pet Insurance

Shopping & Discounts

Home and Auto Discounts

Everyday Discounts

Classroom Resources

Magazines and Software

Health Discounts

Travel

Car Rental

Travel Discounts

Professional Resources

Classroom Resources

Education Loans

Professional Development

 

Legal Services

Contract Enforcement:  One of the most important functions of your Association is to protect the integrity of the negotiated Master Agreement.  As a member of the bargaining unit, you have the right to Association representation in possible grievances and professional concerns.  If you have a contract-related question or concern, please contact your building representative or the Association office.  Through the OEA UniServ program, WEA members also have the benefit of the services of OEA staff members in supporting them with professional and contractual needs.  The OEA Labor Relations Consultant assigned to WEA members for this purpose is Mark Linder (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.| phone: 614.895.1041).  

Educators Employment Liability Insurance:  Your membership provides you with $1 million in coverage for civil claims brought against you and for representation or reimbursement for the defense of criminal charges when performing the duties of your job.  This program is offered through Horace Mann. Terms and conditions of this coverage are set forth in program documents.  Contact WEA President Brian Morgan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or OEA Labor Relations Consultant Mark Linder (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for a copy of the policy or further information.   

OEA/NEA Legal Services:  Your Association provides you with free legal representation for the defense of your employment rights. Terms and conditions of this program are set forth in program documents. Contact WEA President Brian Morgan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or OEA Labor Relations Consultant Mark Linder (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for further information. 

OEA/NEA Attorney Referral Program:  During any membership year (from September 1 to August 31), eligible members, spouses, and dependent children are entitled to two, free 30-minute consultation sessions with any of the Association-approved attorneys under the Attorney Referral Program. During the two free sessions, you may discuss any legal matter except income tax preparation.  The free consultation allows you to discuss your problems with an attorney to determine whether you need additional legal services. The attorney is not expected to draft or review documents during a consultation. If you ask the attorney to provide additional services, you will be billed at a discounted Program rate.

In addition to free consultations, members may have specific legal work performed in five “core” areas at a 30% reduction of participating attorneys’ normal fees.  The five core areas include real estate, wills and estates, domestic relations, consumer protection, and traffic violations.  A few legal services, such as help with business dealings, bankruptcy, or tax matters, do not qualify for the discounted rate.  The discounted rate also does not apply to the defense of criminal violations, other than the traffic violations covered by the Program.

Be an advocate for yourself and your fellow professionals by becoming a member of the WEA and taking an active role in our Association.

Together, we can accomplish more!

Contract Information

Collective bargaining is the cornerstone of our strength and success. By negotiating as a unified force, we can secure fair wages, improved working conditions, and enhanced benefits for all our dedicated members.

View the 2023-2026 contract >>>

Employee Benefits

Worthington City Schools is committed to providing eligible employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Our bargaining team has worked diligently to ensure that benefits meet the needs of our members.

View the Benefits Summary >>>

Professional development

The Worthington School District is committed to offering staff opportunities for high-quality professional development. Click here for information about Fee Waivers, PAC'c, and other PD information.

View PD Information >>>

Member Exclusive!

PowerOneInsurance Designed for Educators: Associations throughout America have partnered with California Casualty to ensure that you and your fellow members get the right coverage at the best price. More Information >>>

The Power of ONE!

PowerOneOhio’s New Educators (ONE) is a unique community within the Ohio Education Association (OEA) supporting early career educators in their first years of teaching. More Information >>>