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No one likes to think about the things
that could go wrong in the course of one's employment.
As an educator, you perform your work in the best interests
of students. You are conscientious and well-intentioned. When
you learn of other educators caught up in legal battles, you
often think, "It will never happen to me." But the
truth is it can happen to anyone.
MNEA members go to work secure in the knowledge that their
membership provides them with legal protection and a well-trained
team of advocates working to safeguard their professional
careers. It is protection today's educator can't afford to
be without.
MNEA members can also count on assistance for personal legal
matters through the Association's Attorney Referral Program.
This program provides free consultations and discounted legal
fees.
$2
million liability protection
A $2 million educators employment liability (EEL) policy
is the cornerstone of MNEA's professional protection plan.
The coverage, automatic with membership, includes up to $2
million in damages and additional payment for legal fees for
most civil and some criminal lawsuits arising out of job-related
incidents while members are working. Details of the plan are
explained in the EEL brochures listed on the members
only Web site under MNEA benefits.
Professional
staff assistance
Although the EEL policy offers valuable liability coverage,
educators often need help with other job-protection matters.
UniServ directors, MNEA's field staff, are the front-line
defense team for Association members. Full-time trained professionals,
UniServ directors are available 12 months a year to assist
individual members and local associations in dealing with
a wide range of problems.
Located in regional
offices around the state, professionals are just a phone call
away. Members are encouraged to call them at the first hint
of trouble as many situations can be resolved informally in
the early stages.
There is no charge to members for UniServ assistance. It
is another important benefit of Association membership.
Defending
your rights in court
Through the Unified Legal Services Program, MNEA defends
member rights in court and files lawsuits on behalf of members.
In 1999-2000, MNEA spent $450,000 on the ULSP and related
expenses. The largest portion went to defend members in termination,
demotion, salary schedule placement, assignment/transfer and
tenure-related cases. Issues of freedom of speech, child abuse
and censorship were also among 250 cases funded by MNEA in
1999-2000.
MNEA vigorously defends every member's right to due process.
Laws and school-board policies spell out procedures to be
followed in termination proceedings. MNEA challenges school
districts that violate these procedures or act capriciously.
When a member's case goes to the federal courts, MNEA turns
to the National Education Association and its DuShane Fund
for assistance.
Check
out these unique coverages
Answering
your personal legal needs
In today's complex and litigious society, having legal help
for employment-related matters simply isn't enough. At one
time or another, members often need legal counsel on personal
matters. That's why NEA created the Attorney
Referral Program. This unique service gives every member
access to affordable personal legal advice.
The program provides two free 30-minute consultations during
each membership year, plus fees discounted 30 percent in five
areas: wills and estates, real estate, domestic relations,
consumer protection and traffic violations.
MNEA checks each attorney's credentials to ensure that only
qualified and competent attorneys join the referral network.
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