Good Reasons to Belong to MTA

Our union gives us a voice and the power to improve our working conditions and students’ learning conditions. Through collective action, we have fought for fair and equitable treatment of all public education employees, preserved health insurance benefits, challenged standardized testing and privatization, and championed racial and economic justice.

Bargaining is the powerful tool we use to demand fair wages and benefits and create the workplaces we deserve. Members within each local define the priorities they want to achieve through bargaining, and the grievance process gives us the ability to enforce our workplace rights.

Our collective voice calls for the funding necessary to enable all students to have access to an excellent public education, from preK through graduate school. Working together, we won the Student Opportunity Act and the Fair Share Amendment. The latter will provide up to $2 billion a year in additional funding for public education and transportation.

Our union has a grievance process that addresses contract violations and empowers us to stand together against unjust and unfair treatment. We also pursue unfair labor practice charges when management fails to bargain with us or retaliates based on union activity. We advocate for meaningful legislation and change, including ending the punitive use of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement.

Every member’s voice counts. Local, state and national union leaders are elected by members. Members vote on contract agreements and take action through the union on the issues that matter most to them.

Unions have fought for and must defend important legal protections against unjust firings and other job-related sanctions.

Our union provides expert attorneys at no additional cost to members for legal assistance and representation on issues that may arise from your employment. Your membership also includes an insurance policy that provides up to $1 million in civil liability coverage for claims made against you in your role and capacity as an educator.

EEL Program Q & A (English) EEL Program Q & A (Spanish) 

The MTA and the NEA coordinate live, online and hybrid trainings and workshops available at no cost or low cost to members. Many offerings provide you with professional development and opportunities for growth so that you can become a leader — in your local, at the state and national levels, and in your community.

Your membership includes thousands of dollars in savings — more than the cost of your dues — on goods and services ranging from auto insurance to vacation planning.

Use your MTAB benefits and discounts (which can be found on your MTA card) to access all of the savings that help you and your family spend less on the things you need every day. You can save hundreds of dollars a year if you take advantage of these benefits:

MTA Benefits

• Auto, home, pet, dental, life, disability and accident
• Financial planning, debt management and student loan assistance
• Hotels, car rentals, theme parks and travel insurance
• Discounts at more than 325,000 locations locally and nationwide
• School and work supplies

Find Out More at MTA Benefits

NEA Benefits – Free Automatic Coverage for MTA Members

NEA Complimentary Life Insurance

• Up to $1,000 of life insurance
• Up to $5,000 of accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
• Up to $50,000 of AD&D insurance for an accident that occurs while on the job or serving as an association leader
• Up to $150,000 of life insurance if you are a victim of homicide while on the job

Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program

• Up to $1 million limit in damages if you are sued for liability arising out of your educational employment activities
• Up to $300,000 limit in coverage if you are sued in an employment-related matter that involves civil rights violations
• Up to $35,000 reimbursement for attorney fees if you are charged in an employment-related criminal proceeding, if you are exonerated
• Up to $1,000 reimbursement for bail bond premium if you are arrested in an employment-related criminal matter
• Up to $500 for personal property damage if you are assaulted on the job

EEL Program Q & A (English)  EEL Program Q & A (Spanish)  

Learn More at NEA Benefits