United today announced its decision to begin a new Voluntary Furlough for an additional 400 Flight Attendants. The Voluntary Furlough has an effective date of June 1, 2011 and will have a duration of 9-months, ending on March 1, 2012. The primary contributing factor to this Voluntary Furlough is the capacity reduction announced by United earlier this month.
We have worked with United and agreed on a Voluntary Furlough option that does not require a recall/rebid and will avoid any subsequent involuntary furloughs.
We have worked with United and agreed on a Voluntary Furlough option that does not require a recall/rebid and will avoid any subsequent involuntary furloughs. Those Flight Attendants currently on Voluntary Furlough will remain on Voluntary Furlough status for the duration of the period they previously bid for and were awarded.
See also: Furlough Information
Flight Attendants who choose to volunteer for a Voluntary Furlough awarded in system seniority order will continue to accrue seniority and receive many Contractual benefits. These benefits include seniority accrual, retention of medical and dental benefits as well as travel benefits, as outlined in Section 21.A. of our AFA Contract. All Flight Attendants can bid for the Voluntary Furlough except those currently scheduled to return on March 2, 2012.
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 June 2011 Voluntary Furlough Information Package and read it carefully. Voluntary Furlough bids will open on March 30, 2011 at 0800 Central Time and close on April 25, 2011, at 0800 Central Time. 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.
| Duration | Start Date | End Date | Allotment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 months | June 1, 2011 | March 1 2012 | 400 |
Eligibility
All active Flight Attendants, including those currently on Voluntary Furlough, are eligible to bid for the new Voluntary Furlough, except those currently scheduled to return March 2, 2012.
Flight Attendants currently on a Special Leave are eligible to bid for the Furlough. Similarly, Flight Attendants on Medical Leave are also eligible for Voluntary Furlough provided they have medical clearance that documents a return to work date effective no later than May 31, 2011. This documentation must be received and approved by United Medical no later than 1700 Central Time on April 22, 2011.
Voluntary Furlough Bidding & Award
Flight Attendants who are active, as well as those on a Special Leave of Absence, can bid for the Voluntary Furlough via the Unimatic VOLUN screen or follow the prompts in CATS. Refer to the Furlough Information Packet for more detailed bidding information.
| March 30, 2011 | Voluntary Furlough bid period opens at 0800, Central Time |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2011 | Medical Documentation must be received and approved by Company Medical by 1700 Central Time. |
| April 25, 2011 | Voluntary Furlough bid period closes at 0800, Central Time |
| April 26, 2011 | Voluntary Furloughs are awarded by 1700, Central Time |
| June 01, 2011 | Voluntary Furlough period commences |
| March 1, 2012 | Voluntary Furlough period ends |
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, travel passes and retirement age eligibility.
- Flight Attendants on Voluntary Furlough are not allowed to attend training during the course of the Voluntary Furlough due to government regulations requiring Flight Attendants to hand in their ID badge. Flight Attendants may be required to complete varied emergency and services training programs during the month prior to their scheduled return. Details about return to work requirements are included in the June 2011 Voluntary Furlough packet.
