• Social Security Benefits and Travel Privileges /Clarification

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Social Security Benefits and Travel Privileges /Clarification to Company generated Letter -

In October, the company sent out letters to all Flight Attendants currently on extended leaves of absence advising each Flight Attendant of their status and providing the Flight Attendant with information regarding different travel programs the Flight Attendant may qualify for and be interested in taking.  Example: 65 Point Plan / 25/45 / Retirement and 25/45 Plan

A portion of the letter stated "with the implementation of the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement between US Airways and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), travel benefits for those on extended leaves of absence were affected.  Each person on any type of unpaid leave is now only entitled to two leisure passes for the duration of the leave.  Although each of the programs listed below requires that you separate from the Company, one of these programs may now meet your specific needs."

By separating from the Company and electing one of the two available travel plan options a Flight Attendant on LTD could potentially forfeit their LTD benefits.

What the company omitted in this "informational letter" is a reminder of our contractual language regarding Flight Attendants on Social Security Benefits/ SSB status receiving Long Term Disability (LTD) payments.

The 2005 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS Agreement Section 20 L - states: Non - revenue travel benefits will be according to corporate policy. 

Note: Pursuant to Company policy:

Flight Attendants who are totally and permanently disabled (as determined by the Social Security Administration) and their eligible family members currently receive travel privileges on US Airways based on their seniority measured by active service at the time of disability.  Flight Attendants with ten (10) or more active years of service receive unlimited on line pass travel while those with less than ten (10) years of active service receive the same travel privileges as employees on medical leaves (unlimited on-line travel for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment and two (2) vacation/personal passes to be used anytime during the leave).

The omitted information has caused some confusion and concern to those Flight Attendants with 10 or more active years of active service as a Flight Attendant currently in SSB status.  Many of those Flight Attendants have contacted Flight Attendant Administration, AFA MEC Benefits Chairperson Paul Frishkorn, and a few AFA Local officers asking for clarification. Disabled Flight Attendants, designated as totally or permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration, who had 10 or more years of active service at time of disability who already qualify for unlimited travel thought the policy had changed. 

This is to notify you that the language in Section 20 L in the 2005 Flight Attendant Agreement remains the same and nothing has changed.  AFA notified the company about the confusion this letter had caused and the company felt this letter was simply a follow up to make sure the Flight Attendants understood all of their options  and did not feel that it was necessary to send out an additional note.

AFA's cause for concern: A Flight Attendant in SSB status with 10 or more years of active service and collecting LTD payments receives unlimited travel for the employee and eligible family members.

In one such letter to a Flight Attendant, the Company checked off the 65 Point Plan.  What the company did not explain to this particular Flight Attendant was the travel privileges had not changed for this Flight Attendant and were still pursuant to Section 20 L of the 2005 Flight Attendant Agreement and by separating from the company in order to qualify for the 65 Point Plan, the Flight Attendant would be in jeopardy of losing their LTD payments.

Therefore, AFA is offering this clarification and additional information to ensure you understand the existing language before signing on the dotted line.  Should you have additional questions or concerns, please contact your Local AFA Office or the AFA MEC Benefits Chair, Paul Frishkorn by phone at 610-544-2875 or email at pfrishkorn@afausairways.org.

Thank you,

The US Airways Master Executive Council

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AFA USAirways Website

www.afausairways.org

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AFA Local Numbers

Council 40 PIT 412-245-1214
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
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

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