the UNFRIENDLY SKIES

[SKY HIGH]

http://www.unitedafa.org/news/pdetails.asp?ID=157

http://www.denverpost.com/allewis/ci_5735324

The cheerful flight attendant who had Joe DiMaggio's autograph also had Lou Gehrig's disease. She had a new husband, a new baby and a new diagnosis that promised her only months to live. "They said this will be your first Christmas with Jacob. Plan on it being your last," she said.

Somehow, Reinhardt outlived this diagnosis. At 45, she is now paralyzed from the neck down and requires a respirator to breathe. But when I called her at her home in Indianola, Wash., she was mostly upset about being fired.

She just got the word April 17.

"United never even called to tell me that I was going to be terminated," Reinhardt said. "We found out through the grapevine and had to call them. ... It was as if the supervisor was afraid to tell me."

 

[Kev3188]

Why was long term medical leave no longer an option?

 

[FWAAA]

Why was long term medical leave no longer an option?

The FA union agreed to a 3 year cap on long term medical leave in their bankruptcy contract. Her three years were up. ALS is terminal so she's not coming back.

All this means is that UAL no longer shoulders her medical expenses; either her own LTD policy or, failing that, whichever government agency covers those who don't plan ahead will pay them.

A very tragic situation, but that's what we have when employers aren't required to cover ill employees forever.

 

[GoldenRam94]

You need to understand the laws before you cast stones. She was never returning to work. United, or any other comapny, is well within their rights to terminate employment. Her benefits are now picked up by the state. It happens every day in corporate America and it is quite legal.

 

[The Gopher]

This was important enough for a Special NewsReal, specifically for this case, and less than one week after Jo's termination:
--------------------------------------------

SPECIAL NEWSREAL



Please Post Promptly Wednesday, April 25, 2007

and keep posted through 4/26

----------------------------------------------------

Today's Special News:



1. United Establishes Foundation to Assist Employees



2. UAL Corporation Reports First-Quarter Results



----------------------------------------------------

United Establishes Foundation to Assist Employees

----------------------------------------------------

United has announced it will establish an
independent foundation to assist employees facing
dire medical situations after they have exhausted
other benefits the company has in place for them.



* The foundation's establishment comes after United
Flight Attendant Jo Reinhardt, who is suffering from
a long-term illness, was no longer eligible for
benefits under the company's plan.



* "As we looked for ways to help Jo, it was clear
that in extreme cases such as hers, we were not able
to provide the help she needed under our benefit
plans," says Jane Allen, senior vice president of
Human Resources. "We hope that the foundation will
help Jo and employees facing similar circumstances
in the future."



* The foundation will be funded by United. Its
mission will be different from the Employee Relief
Fund, which is funded by employees.



* The foundation will be able to, on a case-by-case
basis, consider the circumstances of employees who
are facing dire medical situations, and provide
assistance as appropriate for their circumstance.



* "We expect the foundation to be up and running
shortly," says Allen.

 

[spacewaitress]

This was important enough for a Special NewsReal, specifically for this case, and less than one week after Jo's termination:

Yeah...that shut everybody up, which was what UA wanted. I'd love to see if they are doing jack sh%t in reality.

 

[novaqt]

Yeah, they set up a foundation to assist ill United employees. Don't expect senior management to contribute one dime of their own money, they want the employees and former employees to fund the foundation. However, the senior management and all their millions should fund the foundation, this would be a very nice tax shelter for them.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Yeah, they set up a foundation to assist ill United employees. Don't expect senior management to contribute one dime of their own money, they want the employees and former employees to fund the foundation. However, the senior management and all their millions should fund the foundation, this would be a very nice tax shelter for them.

They won't contribute anything, but they will try to reap the benefits of it if they ever come in need. :down: