AFA US Airways MEC E-Line - "Staying Informed"

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• VFLR Unemployment Questions & Answers
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• AFA Local Numbers

Dear Members,

There are some Flight Attendants who were awarded the VFLR for June and are having their Unemployment eligibility benefits questioned. I've written out a few times that the VFLR does not represent a "buy out", resignation, or separation.  The incentive package does not represent a cash "buy out". This program was set up because the Company needed to reduce their work force and by offering the incentive program would allow for a more senior high paid Flight Attendant to leave vs. a more junior Flight Attendant.  All programs have "recall rights", and the trigger is when the company begins to need Flight Attendants due to attrition and/or expansion of the airline.

Please read the following on how to answer some of the questions that maybe sent to you in the form of a questionnaire.  You may have to separate the questions and write the answers as follows:

1. Did your employer tell you that you would be discharged if you did not resign?

Answer: The employer did not imply that I would be discharged as I have NOT resigned. I have taken a Voluntary furlough. I remain on the seniority list and will be recalled back when US Airways expands and needs flight attendants to return to work.

2.  Were you told that your job would be affected if you did not accept the employers incentive package to voluntarily terminate your employment?

Answer: No. I have taken a furlough in order to preserve a more junior flight attendant's job. This program is not a "separation", nor a "buy out" and is not a termination. I remain on the seniority list for future recall.

3. What incentives were you offered to accept the voluntary separation?

Answer: Travel passes.  We received only a sum of $10,000 lump sum for signing a release for the purpose of  not bringing any future litigation against the employer for age discrimination or EEOC claims. The furloughee who did not sign the "release", still would be on furlough whether they signed the release or not. If you did not sign the "release form", you would not have received the $10,000.  We have NOT been discharged from the company. Whether we sign the Release or not, we are not separated from the Company, we have been furloughed due to a reduction in force.

4. Would continuing work have been available had you not taken the employers incentives?

Answer: I may or may have not have been working depending on how far and deep the furlough would have effected my seniority. The Company continues to downsize and return aircraft to the lessors between now and beyond February 2006.

If you need to attach a letter, do so. Make sure you emphasize clearly that this furlough does not represent a "separation from the company, nor a buy-out.  You remain on the seniority list until USAirways begins to recall Flight Attendants on the property. Send in the letter the Company gave you if needed.

Teddy
MEC President

Accessing The Hub: http://thehub.usairways.com 

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AFA Local Numbers

Council 40 PIT 724-695-3329
Council 41 DCA 703-690-6859
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
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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Your MEC Officers
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