Members of the union automatically receive full employment protection, up to and including free legal representation in most job-threatening situations, a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy from NEA should you be sued by anyone in connection with your work, and access to three free half-hour legal consultations on non-tax-related matters with a discount of up to 30% for further legal services through MTA's legal referral service. Members have the right to vote in all MSP internal elections, the right to participate in MSP General Assemblies, and a voice on important decisions. Only members may serve as departmental representatives, board members, officers, or expense-paid delegates to the anuual MTA and NEA conventions.

Auto Insurance	Alternative Health Care
Home Owners & Renters Insurance	Credit Cards
Disability Insurance	Long Term Care
Hospital Income	Home Mortgage Program
Life Insurance	Vision Care Plan
Travel Accident Insurance	Travel Program
Tax Sheltered Accounts	Hotel Discounts
Tax Preparation Services	Auto Rental
Home Heating Oil Co-op	Theme Park Discounts

In addition to the benefits provided by the MTA and the NEA, MSP members are also eligible to receive a local vision discount of 15% off the cost of eyeglass lenses and frames at the Amherst Optical Shoppe, winner of many Advocate Best of the Valley awards. Amherst Optical is located at 195 North Pleasant Street in the center of town.

Our dental insurance, provided through a trust fund negotiated in the union contract, is funded entirely by the University. The University's FTE contribution increased from $8 per week to $11 when the current contract was funded.

Once a person is in the bargaining unit, s/he is automatically enrolled in the dental plan after a 6 month waiting period. A bargaining unit member's family members can also be enrolled in the plan at no cost by filling out a form found at http://www.mackbenefits.com/MTA_Dental_Enrollment_Card.pdf. The dental plan is Met Life Dental. To use the plan, a person goes to her/his dentist, tells them that the dental plan is Met Life Dental and that our group number is 93994. [Met Life Dental does not issue cards.] The individual's number is her/his Social Security Number.

Minimal as our benefits are, MetLife is losing money on us and will be increasing its premiums significantly next spring, which will put a severe strain on the Trust Fund. This may necessitate reducing benefits, member contributions to the premiums, or some sort of multi-tier benefits structure. MSP Vice President Melissa Barringer sits on the Board of the Trust and will be representing MSP members' interests as any changes are discussed, but given the financial shortfall most options have problems.

The plan can be used with any dentist who will accept it, but Met Life Dental has a list of “Preferred Providers” who have negotiated lower fees and whose services are reimbursed at a higher rate. To see this list or to find a dentist, go to the Met Life web site www.metlife.com/dental or call them at 1-800-942-0854.