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AFA US Airways MEC E-Line
for December 30, 2003
| In this
E-Line |
- Involuntary Furlough Q&A
- Accessing The Hub
- AFA Local Numbers
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Involuntary Furlough Q&A
Q: What is an Involuntary Furlough?
A: An involuntary Furlough is a reduction in personnel
achieved in inverse seniority order starting with the most
junior flight attendant. An involuntarily furloughed flight
attendant is one who has received a furlough notice and has
actually been furloughed as outlined in Section 19 of the
Contract.
Q: What do I need to do if I am furloughed?
A: A furloughed flight attendant must file his/her address
with the company and advise Inflight Services of any change of
address. The Company will provide the Union with these
addresses and any change of addresses within 14 days.
Q: How long will the furloughs last?
A: We do not know. Some Company reports indicate that it will
not be short term. Recall rights do not expire; therefore all
furloughed Flight Attendants must be recalled before hiring
off the street.
Q: Are involuntary furloughed flight attendants entitled to
compensation?
A: Yes. The company is required to pay furlough pay to any
involuntarily furloughed flight attendant who has completed at
least one year or more of service. Furlough pay is based on
the furloughed flight attendants years of active service and
the average number of hours flown in the 12 months prior to
the furlough date as per the chart below.
Q: My status changed from voluntary furlough to
involuntary. Am I eligible for furlough pay?
A: Yes, if you were on the payroll at any time in the previous
12 months.
YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE FURLOUGH PAY
1 year but less than 2 .5 month
2 years but less than 3 1.0 month
3 years but less than 4 1.5 months
4 years but less than 5 2.0 months
5 years but less than 6 2.5 months
6 years but less than 7 3.0 months
7 years but less than 8 3.5 months
8 years but less than 9 4.0 months
9 years and thereafter 4.5 months
Q: What will happen to my unused vacation?
A: At the flight attendant's option, he/she will receive
vacation pay for all unused vacation accrued to the end of the
month preceding his/her furlough. The accrued vacation may
also be carried over until the flight attendant is recalled.
If you choose to be paid out, it will be in a lump sum based
on Section 7.B.1. and 2. You must make this decision at the
time of furlough, and the decision cannot be revisited.
Q: What happens to any accrued sick time?
A: It remains intact in your sick bank contingent upon return
to active status.
Q: Can I apply for unemployment if I am Involuntary
Furlough?
A: Yes. Contact your State Unemployment office immediately
upon commencement of the involuntary furlough. If you live in
a state other than the one in which you are based, you can
file an out of state claim in your home state.
Q: Are medical, dental, and life insurance benefits
available during the furlough period?
A: As long as a furloughed flight attendant is receiving
furlough pay, he/she and their dependents are eligible to
remain on the company's group medical, dental, and life
insurance plans and for a period of 60 days thereafter. COBRA
coverage for medical and dental insurance is available for 18
months or until the flight attendant is covered under another
insurance plan, whichever comes earlier. Life insurance
coverage ceases after 60 days but the flight attendant may
covert the coverage to an individual whole life policy. The
Company will provide COBRA coverage rates to you.
Q: How will the Company recall furloughed flight
attendants?
A: Furloughed flight attendants will be recalled in order of
his/her seniority at the time of furlough. If a flight
attendant fails to accept a recall, they will remain on
furlough status. The Company will then continue to recall more
junior flight attendants. A furloughed flight attendant who
fails to accept a recall when there are no more junior flight
attendants on furlough shall be considered to have resigned
from the Company.
Q: Can I be displaced from my current domicile?
A: Displacements may occur since a more senior flight
attendant can displace a junior flight attendant at a
domicile.
Q: What is the dues obligation for a flight attendant who
has been furloughed?
A: A flight attendant on involuntary furlough becomes inactive
at the end of the month in which they are furloughed. The dues
obligation is directed only to members/service charge payers,
who are on active status for any month or portion there of. If
a member is receiving furlough pay, they are obligated to pay
regular dues for those months covered. Therefore, an
involuntary furlough equates to no dues obligation except
while receiving furlough pay. IF YOU RECEIVE A SEPARATE CHECK
AS A VACATION PAYOUT AND DUES ARE DEDUCTED PLEASE CONTACT THE
AFA MEMBERSHIP DEPT. AT 800-424-2401, EXT. 744. Once verified
you will be issued a dues refund for the month you received
your vacation payout.
Q: Can a member hold office or vote while inactive and on
furlough?
A: No.
Q: Are on-line travel passes available to involuntarily
furloughed flight attendants?
A: Unlimited on line passes are available for the length of
the furlough. A complete explanation of travel benefits is
included in your furlough packet. The furlough packet was
mailed December 30.
Q: Is a furloughed flight attendant required to get the
company's permission with regards to interim employment?
A: No. However, a furloughed flight attendant, who can
substantiate that alternate employment would require him/her
to sign a contract with an interim employer for a specific
period of time that would exceed three years has to file a
request and submit substantiated documentation for approval by
the Inflight Services Department Head prior to accepting such
interim employment. If the flight attendant is recalled and
unavailable for the above reason, he/she will be considered on
leave of absence.
Q: What happens if a furloughed flight attendant accepts
other employment or goes to school while on furlough and is
then subsequently recalled back to work?
A: If the employment requires a contractual commitment for a
period of up to three (3) years, the flight attendant shall be
allowed to fulfill such obligation with the provision that
flight attendant shall be considered to be on personal leave
of absence commencing with the date of recall until
fulfillment of such employment obligation and the flight
attendant notified the Company prior to such contractual
commitment. A flight attendant who has entered into a full
time educational program while on furlough and who receives
notice of recall before said program is completed, shall be
placed on a leave of absence (personal) commencing with the
date of recall for up to ninety (90) days or until the end of
the current semester, whichever is first.
Q: Will I continue to accrue pension service credits during
the furlough period?
A: Pension service accrue for the first three years of each
furlough provided the flight attendant returns to active
employment consistent with recall procedures.
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REMINDERS:
Accessing The Hub:
http://thehub.usairways.com
- Logging in the first time your user name is u0(zero) and
your five digit employee number. Your initial password is the
first five digits of your social security number. Questions
about the Hub? Call 800-327-0117 and listen for the catcrew
help desk prompts.
AFA Local Numbers
Council 40 PIT 724-695-3329
Council 41 DCA 703-690-6859
Council 69 BOS 978-352-7401
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 201-803-6141
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325
New Hotline Number Toll Free: 866-USA-AFA2
US AIRWAYS Benefits Information 800-872-4780
Reply to Inflight: askinflight@usairways.com
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