As a result of United’s continuing overage of Flight Attendants, the company announced its decision to begin a new Voluntary Furlough period of 12 months for 2,100 Flight Attendants, effective March 2, 2012, ending on March 1, 2013.  Additionally, there will be an option for a Partnership Program bid for a 3-month period for the March through May schedule months. 

All active and inactive Flight Attendants are eligible to bid for the Voluntary Furlough.  Those Flight Attendants currently on Voluntary Furlough, who wish to be awarded a new Voluntary Furlough, must submit a bid to be eligible to participate.  In order to be awarded a Voluntary Furlough, Flight Attendants on Medical Leave of Absence must receive medical clearance with a return to work date prior to the effective date of the Voluntary Furlough, March 2, 2012.  This medical clearance must be received and approved by company medical no later than January 5, 2012 at 1700 Central Time.  

Voluntary Furloughs will be awarded in system seniority order.  Flight Attendants awarded Voluntary Furlough will continue to receive Contractual benefits as outlined in Section 21.A. of our Contract, including seniority accrual, retention of medical and dental benefits as well as online pass travel benefits. 

For additional information, please contact your Local Council Office and check our website for updated Voluntary Furlough information.  If you are interested in bidding for a Voluntary Furlough please refer to the March 2012 Voluntary Furlough Information Packet and read it carefully.  

Bidding for Voluntary Furlough and Partnership will both open on December 6, 2011 at 0800 Central Time.  Voluntary Furlough bids will close on January 9, 2012 at 0800 Central Time with awards to posted no later than 1700 Central Time on January 9, 2012.  Bidding for Partnership flying will close on January 12, 2012 at 0800 Central Time with awards to be posted by 1700 Central time that same day if domicile need and cost effectiveness of the Partnership Program in the aggregate warrants.  If you are able to volunteer for this Voluntary Furlough, we encourage you to do so.

Voluntary Furlough Options

Section 21.A. of our Contract requires Voluntary Furloughs to be offered and awarded in system seniority order. Voluntary Furlough once awarded cannot be declined.  

Eligibility

All active and inactive Flight Attendants, including those currently on Voluntary Furlough, are eligible to bid for the new Voluntary Furlough; and must submit a bid to be eligible to be awarded a Voluntary Furlough.

Flight Attendants on Medical Leave are eligible for Voluntary Furlough provided they have medical clearance that documents a return to work date effective no later than March 1, 2012.  This documentation must be received and approved by United Medical no later than 1700 Central Time on January 5, 2012.

Voluntary Furlough & Partnership Bidding & Award

Flight Attendants who are active, as well as those on a Special or Leave of Absence, can bid for the Voluntary Furlough via the Unimatic VOLUN screen or follow the prompts in CATS.  Refer to the March 2012 Voluntary Furlough Information Packet for more detailed bidding information.

Items to Consider

• Flight Attendants on Voluntary Furlough will maintain medical and dental benefits according to their individual or family insurance elections.  In order to maintain these benefits Flight Attendants will need to make arrangements for premium payments since payroll deduction will not be an option during the Voluntary Furlough.
• Flight Attendants are eligible to retire from Voluntary Furlough. Time spent on Voluntary Furlough is included in your years of “service” to determine your retirement benefits such as medical, pass travel and retirement age eligibility.
• Flight Attendants may be required to complete varied emergency and services training programs during the month prior to their scheduled return from Voluntary Furlough. Details about return to work requirements are included in the March 2012 Voluntary Furlough Packet.