Pilot Post Retirement Medical Benefits

[USA320Pilot]

According to New York Captain Rep Leo Guerrero, "11am, Nov 4, have just been advised by the negotiating committee that the company WILL NOT attempt to 1114 the post retirement medical for any pilot leaving before Jan. 01, 2005. That means that anyone retiring before that date will be getting medical benefits until age 65. The company will NOT go to the bankruptcy judge and attempt to overturn that benefit. This only covers the pilots that retire by Jan 01, 2005," he said.

"The company WILL attempt to 1114 any post age 65 pilots, who are eligible at that age for Medicare," Guerrero noted.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[OldGuyinPA]

and just who would believe this............

swamp property for sale.....

 

[WestCoastGuy]

The company would never lie about anything....right????

 

[AP Tech]

Your right....the company would not go back on their word (i.e. LIE) . With their track record I would believe every word they say and every promise they make.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Earlier today BOS F/O Rep Garalnd Jones wrote, "Just got a message from the NC that the company has told them that they do not plan to go after the retired pilot's medical benefits for those who are already retired and are under 65, including any pilot who retires before Jan.1, 2005.

In other words, the company has no plan to use the 1114 process (same as the 1113, but pertains to retiree's benefits) while in bankruptcy to change the current benefits that our under 65 retired pilots are now receiving.

Additionally, as the changeover to the LOA # 93 provisions start post Jan. 1, 2005, all pilots who retire before that date will thus be eligible for full retiree medical benefits as well."

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[Fly]

Here's an idea 'Captain'....maybe you should march around your domicile with a sign encouraging your brethren to leave so you can finally be the Captain again. Your motives are quite transparent.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Fly:

I simply posted comments made from two different MEC Reps. For some pilots, there may be a benefit to retire early to have health care benefits between age 60 and 65. For other's it may not be a retirement factor.

Regardless, I believe it is important to pass on information obtained from the ALPA Negotiating Committee.

By the way, it is anticipated over 600 pilot positions will be created between now and the end of 2005. There 270 additional positions for increased aircraft utilization, 170 age 60 retirements, over 200 pilot positions understaffed, and 120 voluntary leaves (there are more than 120 voluntary leave of absence requests, but the new contract caps the number at 120 per year). This number excludes early retirements where I understand there are over 300 applicants.

By the way, what is happening at your company, Untied Airlines? I heard that the company is going to file a S.1113© and S.1114 motions, to adjust employee pay and benefits and retiree benefits. Moreover, I heard the company is going to terminate all four employee DB pension plans. Is this true?

Best regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[BoeingBoy]

I have written on the ALPA board and may have here, but anyway.....

I urge any pilot contemplating early retirement prior to 1/1/05 for the sole purpose of "grandfathering" their post-retirement medical benefits to keep their options open as long as possible, while keeping up with what the company seeks in current 1114 negotions with the retiree committee vs what the company says to the negotiating committee. Remember that ALPA is not representing retirees.

From one company filing on establishment of the retiree committee:

USAI has agreed on modifications to their collective bargaining agreements with ALPA and the TWU. However, the ALPA agreement does not cover retirees receiving retiree medical benefits pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement to which ALPA is a party (the “ALPA Retireesâ€￾). Accordingly, USAI intends to seek modification of the ALPA Retirees’ retiree medical benefits pursuant to Section 1114.


I leave it to others to judge the veracity of the company's words. All I'm saying is to "Look before you leap".

Jim

 

[700UW]

Funny Glass met with the 1114 Committee Tuesday and told them they want to eliminate ALL current Retiree Benefits.

 

[WestCoastGuy]

Retire now or later, it won't matter. The company is only interested in eliminating all retirement health benefits. Except, of course, for the current and future retired Exec's.

 

[USA320Pilot]

The information reported by MEC members Leo Guerrero & Garland Jones regarding retiree health care, was obtained from the ALPA Negotiating Committee, which is lead by Doug Mowrey, who is a so called "hardliner".

I find it interesting that "naysayers", who continue to support union leaders who have and continue to get worse and worse company proposals, try to discredit the messenger(s).

The "just say no" and "concession stand is closed" crowd has badly hurt rank-and-file union members and continue to do so, instead of posting the facts. I find it sad that ALPA MEC chairman Bill Pollock and communication committee chairman Jack Stephen regularly have to correct misinformation made by fellow pilots.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[700UW]

The "just say no" and "concession stand is closed" crowd has badly hurt rank-and-file union members and continue to do so, instead of posting the facts. I find it sad that ALPA MEC chairman Bill Pollock and communication committee chairman Jack Stephen regularly have to correct misinformation made by fellow pilots.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

[post="197993"][/post]​

Do you mean like this?

MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE

July 26, 2002


This is Roy Freundlich with US Airways an MEC update for Friday, July 26, with two new items:
Item 1. Today the Charlotte Observer published an anti-union editorial from one of our pilots, titled "Unions can Sink US Airways," that aggressively promotes management’s objectives on achieving concessions from other labor groups. The editorial goes so far as to suggest that the CWA union leadership, who represent customer service employees, is misleading their members on their negotiating activity, and implies that management’s side of a dispute is more accurate.

This editorial does not in any way represent ALPA’s position, understanding, or sentiment, on other unions and their sincere efforts to represent their members. ALPA has received no reports, nor would it assign any value to reports, that suggest that any union is misleading their membership. The pilot author of the editorial holds no union position in ALPA. The anti-union public statements from one of our pilot-ALPA members is regrettable.

We urge all pilots to contact their reps or the Comm Center for accurate updates on restructuring negotiations and the activity of other unions. We also request that all pilots refrain from promoting any management anti-union propaganda or chastise other employees in the media. There is little to be gained from such activity other than embarrassment for yourself, your fellow pilots, US Airways, and ALPA.

 

[BoeingBoy]

The information reported by MEC members Leo Guerrero & Garland Jones regarding retiree health care, was obtained from the ALPA Negotiating Committee, which is lead by Doug Mowrey, who is a so called "hardliner".

I find it interesting that "naysayers", who continue to support union leaders who have and continue to get worse and worse company proposals, try to discredit the messenger(s).

And just where in my post did I try to discredit the messenger(s)? I have no doubt that what is being reported by the NC is what is being said by the company and did not say anything to the contrary. How could you be so wrong, again?


The "just say no" and "concession stand is closed" crowd has badly hurt rank-and-file union members and continue to do so, instead of posting the facts. I find it sad that ALPA MEC chairman Bill Pollock and communication committee chairman Jack Stephen regularly have to correct misinformation made by fellow pilots.

Are you saying that a direct quote from the company's filing is not a "fact", or is it just inconvenient for you that this fact doesn't necessarily square with what the company is saying to the NC? How could you be so wrong, again and again?

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

[post="197993"][/post]​

Really, USA320Pilot, for one who uses the "Don't shoot the messanger" line pretty often, you just love to shoot more than your share of messangers....

Jim

 

[nycbusdriver]

Gee! Thanks to Leo and Garland for getting out the word of the company's plan today regarding retiree medical benefits.

What's the company's plan on January 2, 2005 or thereafter?

Company plans change as often as underwear. What the company (or their official mouthpieces known as the ALPA GAG) say today means nothing. Anyone who does not believe this has been in a coma for the last 6 years or so.

 

[USA320Pilot]

MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE - October 28, 2004

This is Jack Stephan with a US Airways MEC update for Thursday, October 28, 2004

The Retirement and Insurance Committee reports that management has agreed to allow pilots to retire on January 1, 2005 without being impacted by the post-retirement health insurance provisions of LOA 93. This means that pilots who retire by December 31, 2004, can still retire under the pre-October 15 post-retirement health insurance provisions, which are outlined in LOA 84.

Pilots should be aware that US Airways has indicated that it will seek to modify retiree health insurance through a Section 1114 motion, although it has not done so yet. While pilots retiring on or before January 1, 2005 will not be subject to the retiree health provisions of LOA 93, there is no guarantee that retiree health insurance benefits will not be changed during bankruptcy.

A pilot who turns 60 on December 2, 2004 or later is a January 1, 2005 retiree.

Retirement dates are always the first of the month coincident with or following the pilot’s birthday or last day worked. Pilots who wish to retire on January 1, 2005 must submit a letter to their Chief Pilot's office stating that they “intend to retire on January 1, 2005" and provide their name, address, phone number and employee number. They should also fax a copy of this same letter to Cris Connerly in the pension department at 703-872-7498 and to Charmane Lyscik in Captain Bular's office at 412-747-3697.

Pilots who wish to retire before January 1, 2005 must submit a letter to their Chief Pilot's office stating that they “intend to retire on December 1, 2004" and provide their name, address, phone number and employee number. They should also fax a copy of this same letter to Cris Connerly in the pension department at 703-872-7498 and to Charmane Lyscik in Captain Bular's office at 412-747-3697.

Pilots who have questions about retirement or any R&I matter should call MEC Senior Benefits Specialist Karen Browne-Fleck at 800-USAIR MEC.