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 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 which 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 Central OEA/NEA, and the 800 members of the WEA have accomplished much by working together.
NEA MEMBER BENEFITS & SERVICES INCLUDE:
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Financial |
Insurance |
Shopping & Discounts |
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Travel |
Professional Resources |
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 (email: 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 Mark Hill (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 Mark Hill (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-percent 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 even more great!
