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Benefits

A Union is about so much more than contract negotiations - it’s also about taking care of one another. This page lists special benefits that one can only access as a PFF member as well as protections and discounts from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the AFL-CIO, under which PFF operates. If you haven’t yet joined PFF, please click the button below.

For any questions about Union benefits, contact PFF Executive Director, Debbie Forward, at debbieforward1@gmail.com.

CONFERENCE FUNDING

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Funds are for conference registration fees and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In an academic year, each PFF member is eligible for an allotment of up to $500, regardless of the number of funding requests.

EMERGENCY FUNDING

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Dear Member:

We're So Sorry! Due to high demand, we're currently no longer accepting new applications. Please check back later!

 

Financial assistance is available for PFF members in need due to an emergency.

 

Examples of situations that create unforeseen financial challenges include (but are not limited to):

  • Illness or accident, of oneself or an immediate family member, that creates loss of wages and/or exceptional medical bills.

  • House fire.

  • Car accident or major repairs.

  • Victim of a crime.

  • Unexpected and necessary bill, such as a plumbing catastrophe.

 

Requests will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. An ad hoc committee will determine the amount, up to $599 within an academic year.

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Note that this funding is for one-time financial hardship and is not intended as general, ongoing financial help.

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Additional resources are available through the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, and both EASE and AFT offer financial counseling services.

SCHOLARSHIPS
 

 

The Palomar Faculty Federation is pleased and proud to announce its 2024 academic scholarship!

Award:

  • TBD by scholarship committee


Candidate Criteria:

  1. Will attend a public institution of higher learning in the 2024-2025 calendar year.

  2. Has a cumulative high school or college GPA of at least 3.0.

  3. Must be a family member of a PFF Union Member: spouse, child, or domestic partner.


Application:
Include a cover letter (should be no more than 2 pages in length) and a copy of your transcript. This year’s deadline for applications are Friday, May 9, 2024.

  1. The transcript must show a cumulative high school or college GPA of 3.0 or higher.

  2. The cover letter must indicate and name the relation that makes the applicant eligible for the scholarship.

  3. The cover letter MAY contain the following details to help the committee decide:

  • A statement of how union values, the history of union accomplishments, or a union has positively affected yourself or America.

  • Any academic or extracurricular activities you believe may help the committee better understand your candidacy.

  • Any particular financial hardship or need you may have.

 

Any Questions about the Scholarship should be addressed to palomarfacfed@gmail.com, or you may email the committee chair, Patrick O’Brien, at pobrienca@gmail.com.

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The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and AFT both have more scholarships available. Visit:

BENEFITS OFFERED to PFF MEMBERS
by AFT and the AFL-CIO

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PFF’s affiliation with the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the AFL-CIO enables its Union members to take advantage of additional free protections and deeply discounted savings on common expenses.

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To access these benefits, visit aft.org/member-benefits to first create your account. Have on hand our local’s # (6161) and your personal AFT membership # (if that isn’t handy connect with PFF Organizer Debbie Forward at debbieforward1@gmail.com).

 

 

YOU’RE COVERED

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ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE (AD&D)
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Through insurance offered by the American Federation of Teachers, PFF covers all active, working members with a free $36,250 AD&D insurance policy.

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Whether an accident resulting in a covered injury or loss of life happens at work or away, this coverage pays you or your beneficiary a cash benefit within 90 days. If you need the Beneficiary Designation form to keep with your own files, please request from the Organizer.

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OCCUPATIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (OLI)
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AFT provides liability protection for damages and attorney fees from claims arising out of a member’s employment activities due to (1) accidental bodily injury (e.g., member opens a classroom door and breaks a student’s tooth), (2) accidental property damage (e.g., member knocks a student’s laptop computer to the floor while explaining a concept) or (3) personal injury claim, such as slander, libel, false arrest, false detention, imprisonment or invasion of privacy (e.g., locker search or a social media post that libels a student).

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IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION
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Enroll yourself at aft.clcidprotect.net for free, annual assessments that will let you know if your information is being abused. You will also be notified if your SS# is ever touched.

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Additional monthly monitoring and protection services are available to you or your entire family for a deep discount.

MORE SAVINGS

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Visit aft.org/member-benefits for the full menu of benefits and savings - just a few are noted here. You’ll see that some of the opportunities take you to UnionPlus, which is the AFL-CIO benefits arm. Create accounts at both AFT and UnionPlus!

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TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT

  • Southwest Airlines

  • Disneyland & other theme parks

  • Restaurants

  • Movie tickets

  • Car rental

  • Hotels

 

EDUCATION & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

  • Scholarships

  • Rosetta Stone

  • Student debt clinics

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PURCHASES

  • AT&T Wireless

  • Teleflora Flowers

  • Powell’s Online Bookstore

  • Auto purchases

  • Dansko shoes

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MORTGAGE, HOME, FINANCIAL, & LEGAL SERVICES

  • Mortgage & real estate programs

  • Moving services

  • Home security

  • Credit & legal services

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