Dear fellow Council 82 Flight Attendants,

Just a reminder there is only one day remaining to subscribe to the VFLR II. The deadline for subscription is Friday, August 26, 2005 at 11:59 p.m. While the majority of participants of the June 1 release of the VFLR have been successful in collecting unemployment compensation there were isolated cases in which flight attendants have been denied benefits. Most of the determinations of those cases have been overturned in initial hearings in their respective states; however, there is one case in LGA that has been denied. The flight attendant was present and I along with Teddy Xidas, the former MEC President represented the flight attendant in a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. I am disappointed to inform you that the initial determination was sustained on the basis of the information provided by UTCA (Unemployment Tax Control Associates). UTCA is a third party company that USAirways has engaged in their services in responding to and administering claims against the company's Unemployment Compensation program. The UTCA representative has been considering this program as a Voluntary Quit versus a Voluntary Furlough due to the lack of work. I have engaged in numerous discussions with the company as well as the AFA Legal Department in an attempt to reach a resolution to this dilemma. I am saddened to say the company has yet to provide a solution to the problem. I believe the company had sufficient time to remedy this situation if they chose to and their failure to do so in a timely manner has prompted the MEC to file a grievance under the advisement of the AFA Legal Department. AFA had entered into collective bargaining discussions in the later part of 2004 wherein the company clearly agreed to NOT CONTEST the Unemployment Compensation benefits attached to the VFLR. I contend the company has breeched their pledge by hiring a third party consulting firm to contest on their behalf. I can answer in greater detail for those who are interested. 

I wanted to inform you of this problem as you may wish to consider this information in making a decision to participate in the VFLR II. We are still in talks with the company to resolve any issues that have and may arise from the participants of the original VFLR program. I will update you as more up to date information becomes available to me.

FYI, for those who participate in this program I will be happy to assist you upon request in answering questions that may arise in the Unemployment process. Keep in mind the laws do vary from state to state.

Rob Wessinger
LEC President
Council 82-LGA
Association of Flight Attendants - AFL-CIO