What Do You Get for Your Dues Dollars?

Good question—and one you may have asked. Are you thinking that a great deal of your salary is going to pay your MEA dues but you’re not seeing any returns on your investment?

Think again! Here are just a few things that your dues dollars buy you:

• Members-only discounts of up to 50 percent with your MEA Member Benefit Card. Go to www.mea.org and log in to save on items like oil changes for your car, or on shopping at name-brand stores.

• A discount online travel service through your MEA Members Benefit Card to help you find and save nationwide on hotel rooms, flights, cruises and vacation packages. Go to www.mea.org; log in and click on Hotel and Travel Service.

• Services from UniServ directors who have the training and expertise in bargaining, grievance processing, arbitrations, unemployment hearings and retirement.

• MEA’s magazine, the MEA Voice, which keeps you up-to-date on issues facing MEA members across the state.

• Legal assistance to protect your rights and privileges.

• Up to $1 million dollars of work-related liability insurance if you are faced with a civil or criminal complaint in the course of your work.

• Lobbyists with the reputation as the leading advocates for the rights of Michigan’s public school employees who make sure your interests are represented in the Legislature.

• Professional development help on issues like certification.

• Training opportunities for education employees at one of MEA’s many conferences or on the local level.

• Assistance in financial planning, choosing auto or homeowner’s insurance, or the stock market through MEA Financial Services.

• Medical advice and information on topics from the common cold to how to live a healthier lifestyle from MESSA.

So, what do you get for your dues dollars? The best bargain in town.

Updated: February 18, 2009 6:06 PM