F/A VF6 JUST ANNOUNCED

[Lod/oBoi]

Voluntary Furlough 6 (VF6)

Although we just offered a VF5 Program, we are going to offer a VF6 Program, also with a June 4, 2003, effective date, to lessen the impact of upcoming furloughs. This program opens today and closes at Noon (EDT), April 30, 2003. Two major differences of the program from VF5 is the duration periods and level of benefits associated with a VF6. Please review the program specifics listed below.

Application forms will be available in the crew rooms and on theHub. The form must be submitted to Inflight Administration in Crystal City. In addition to the normal submission channels, you are able to submit your request electronically via theHub. The deadline for Inflight Administration to receive the form is Noon (EDT) April 30, 2003. Please ensure you are using the correct updated form. It states 2003 Voluntary Furlough 6 (VF6) Program Request Form on the top of it.

Here are some highlights of the Voluntary Furlough 6 Agreement:

** Scheduled to commence June 4, 2003

** Duration choices of VF6:

12 Month VF5 beginning June 4, 2003 and ending May 31, 2004

18 Month VF5 beginning June 4, 2003 and ending Dec 1, 2004

24 Month VF5 beginning June 4, 2003 and ending May 31, 2005

30 Month VF5 beginning June 4, 2003 and ending Dec 1, 2005

** Must be in an active and available status at the beginning of voluntary furlough

** Unlimited on-line travel privileges for eligible family members, except for companion passes and registered companions

** Continued current group health and welfare benefits for first 90 days of voluntary furlough

** Sick bank and vacation day(s) accrual the month of June 2003 only

** Continued seniority and longevity accrual

** May retire with benefits from a voluntary furlough status

** No entitlement to furlough pay if awarded a voluntary furlough

** US Airways will not contest unemployment claims for flight attendants participating in VF6

 

[CLIPPEDWINGS]

Flying passes are only available for 24 months on this VF6! Not sure why, but you don''t get them for the whole 36 months if that is what you choose.

 

[airlineorphan]

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On 4/25/2003 3:58:44 PM CLIPPEDWINGS wrote:

Flying passes are only available for 24 months on this VF6! Not sure why, but you don''t get them for the whole 36 months if that is what you choose.

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Hi Clippedwings,

Where did you hear this? Can you clarify? I suspect that this is a misunderstanding.

In the original VF1 the travel passes were only good for 24 months, but this has been revised since to last the duration of furlough, whether voluntary or involuntary.

There is no suggestion in any of the announcements of this VF6 that imply that this is any different from the now-standard "duration of furlough" arrangement.

Hopefully this is just a misunderstanding.

-Airlineorphan

 

[galley girl]

In yesterday''s E-Line from the MEC, it stated that travel benefits were for 24 months only.

I wonder why??

galleygirl
(on VF-3 and loving it!)

 

[exusairways]

The US Department of Labor has posted the following information as of last week. A word of caution: Many states, including Pennsylvania, have not yet released specific information on eligibility requirements. Given the rather short deadline for VF6, it would be wise for any potential VF participant to investigate the matter further, considering the minimum furlough duration of 12 months.


SPECIAL TEMPORARY EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR DISPLACED AIRLINE RELATED WORKERS

WHAT IS TEUC-A? Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation for displaced airline related workers (TEUC-A) provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to unemployed workers whose exhausted regular unemployment compensation (UC) claim was based in whole, or in part, on qualifying employment for a certified air carrier, employment at a facility at an airport, or with a producer or supplier of products or services directly to an air carrier. Any regular TEUC or TEUC-X benefits received will be deducted from benefits available under this special program.

WHO ARE ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS FOR TEUC-A?

Potentially eligible individuals are those individuals who have exhausted regular, additional, extended or regular TEUC benefits (including TEUC-X), or have an existing TEUC claim on file with a balance remaining whose regular claim for UC was based in whole, or in part, on employment and wages from the qualifying employment described above, and, who was laid-off from such employment on or after September 11, 2001 due to:

The reductions in airline service because of the terrorist actions of September 11, 2001, or,

The closure of a U.S. airport because of the terrorist actions or security measures, or,

The conflict with Iraq.

DOES THIS SPECIAL TEUC PROGRAM PROVIDE FOR AN EXTENSION OF TEUC-A BENEFITS?

Yes. There can be an augmentation of one-third (up to 13 additional weeks) of the TEUC-A monetary entitlement for eligible individuals having their claims being paid by states that are in an extended period or a TEUC-X period because of a high unemployment rate. These extended weeks are referred to as TEUC-AX benefits.

WHEN WILL TEUC-A BENEFITS BE PAID?

Unemployed eligible individuals will receive TEUC-A benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning after April 16, 2003 (date of enactment). TEUC-A and TEUC-AX monetary determinations and redeterminations may be made through the last week ending before December 29, 2003. Individuals having a remaining balance in their account as of December 28, 2003, may continue to receive benefits for weeks of unemployment during a phase-out period that ends the week beginning on or before December 26, 2004. Eligibility will be determined by the state workforce agency that paid an individual’s regular claim. Individual’s having questions concerning TEUC-A eligibility should check with their state workforce agency.

 

[exusairways]

Travel privileges will last throughout the duration of involuntary furloughs only. This was put into effect November 2002, and the announcement can found on the AFA US Airways website.