New voluntary leave and early out options availableRequest Block VTO . New voluntary leave and early...
Transcript of New voluntary leave and early out options availableRequest Block VTO . New voluntary leave and early...
New voluntary leave and early out options available
American has been acting quickly to adjust to lower demand as a result of coronavirus, or COVID-19. These
changes have included significantly reducing American's schedule beginning in March and continuing into the
summer. The company continues to work on options that adjust to lower flying levels and to do what's best for
team members. Starting today, most mainline domestic represented team members can consider: 1. A voluntary leave of absence
• During a voluntary leave under this offering, you will continue to be eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance and AD&D benefits at active rates.
• You'll also be eligible for the same non-revenue travel privileges as active team members. • Things to know about your health benefits coverage while on a voluntary leave of absence.
2. A voluntary early out program • To be eligible, you must have at least 15 years of company seniority and be in an active status. • This is a permanent separation from the company. • Team members will be eligible for medical , dental and vision coverage at active team member
rates for two years. • Non-revenue travel privileges according to company policy (e.g. 65 point plan/retiree travel if you
meet the age and length of service requirements on your exit date). • No pay, except for payout of unused accrued vacation .
In both programs, the company will determine, based on operational demand and interest, whether to grant a
leave of absence or early out and the timing. We are also not offering these options broadly to management
and support staff. For international team members, the company is looking at options country-by-country.
For most workgroups, the window for signing up for a voluntary leave of absence or the voluntary early out
program opens Tuesday, March 17, and closes at midnight Central Time on Monday, March 23, 2020. The
process for indicating your wi llingness to take a voluntary leave of absence or the voluntary early out program
varies slightly by workgroup.
Pilots We are working on a process for voluntary leave of absence and a company voluntary early out program.
Learn more
Flight Attendants
The option for flight attendants to take a voluntary leave of absence or a company voluntary early out program
is available.
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Reservations
Due to high customer call volumes, Reservations is not offering extended leaves of absence at this time.
Domestic Reservations team members can show interest in block VTO as opportunities become available. Request Block VTO
New voluntary leave and early out options available
Flight Crew Training Instructors
The option for Flight Crew Training Instructors to take a voluntary leave of absence or a company voluntary
early out program is available.
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Airport Customer Service
The option for Airport Customer Service Representatives to take a voluntary leave of absence or a company
voluntary early out program is available.
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Maintenance & Related The option for Maintenance & Related to take a voluntary leave of absence or a company voluntary early out
program is available.
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Fleet Service
The option for Fleet Service to take a voluntary leave of absence or a company voluntary early out program is
available. Learn more
Dispatchers
The option for Dispatchers to take a voluntary leave of absence or a company voluntary early out program is
available. Learn more
Flight Simulator Engineers The option for Flight Simulator Engineers to take a voluntary leave of absence or a company voluntary early
out program is available.
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American Airlines~~.
Voluntary Leave of Absence and Early out options Voluntary Leave of Absence You are able to sign up for 3, 6, or 12 months leave of absence.
Medical benefits You will be eligible for medical , dental & vision coverage, life insurance or AD&D benefits at active team member rates. During a VLOA, you will be responsible for payment of your portion of all premiums, which will be direct billed to you .
Travel privileges You will retain all non-revenue travel privileges provided to active team members.
Frequently asked questions Is this leave paid? No. This is an unpaid voluntary leave of absence, or VLOA. Employees on a VLOA will be treated as if on active status for seniority purposes. However, an employee on a
VLOA will not continue to accrue sick or vacation time.
What is the duration of the leaves being offered?
For TWU-IAM represented team members, the company is offering leaves of 3, 6 or 12
months. Team members can request any of those lengths, but the duration granted in a
leave is at the company's discretion.
Who is eligible for this leave of absence?
Absent exceptions required by law, employees that have completed their probationary
period and are in an "active status" as of March 12, 2020 will be eligible to bid for this extended VLOA option. Active status for purposes of this agreement is defined as an
employee on payroll receiving pay from the company.
Which benefits do I keep while I am on this leave of absence? Employees on a VLOA will continue to be eligible for non-revenue travel privileges
provided to active team members.
Employees on a VLOA will also be eligible for medical, dental & vision coverage, life insurance or AD&D benefits at active team member rates. During a VLOA, an employee
will be responsible for payment of the employee portion of all premiums, which will be
direct billed to the employee. An employee's failure to make timely premium payments may result in the loss of coverage, subject to the Company's regular premium collection
process.
How are the number and location of VLOAs determined? The company will determine the duration and total number of VLOAs, as well as the work
groups and locations where the VLOAs will be offered. VLOAs will be awarded by
seniority order within workgroups and by location where the VLOAs are offered. The
starting dates of the VLOAs will be determined by the company.
What happens to my accrued vacation? Any accrued vacation for use in 2020 that is not used as a result of an employee's VLOA
will be paid out the following year under the terms of the applicable collective bargaining
agreement.
Can I collect unemployment benefits while on a VLOA? If the company receives a request for information from a state or local agency with responsibility for unemployment compensation claims, the company will respond by
providing factually accurate information regarding an employee's status. However, the company will not actively contest an employee's claim for unemployment compensation benefits.
How long do I have to decide? The election window closes at midnight central time on March 23. The company can choose to offer additional leave opportunities on these same terms in the future, but there is no guarantee that it will.
Can I change my mind?
Once granted, the VLOA must be accepted by the employee. Based on operational needs the company may cancel or reduce the duration of a VLOA, with at least 60 days'
notice to your union and to you. If the company cancels or reduces a VLOA, the
company will seek volunteers to return to work in seniority order and then if necessary,
employee(s) will be brought back to work in reverse seniority order.
What happens at the end of a VLOA? An employee will return to the employee's classification and location at the conclusion of
the VLOA. The employee will not be eligible to bid for transfers while on the VLOA.
Company Voluntary Early Out Program If you have fifteen (15) or more years of company seniority and you are in active status, you are eligible to sign up for a company early out.
Medical benefits You will be eligible for medical, dental & vision coverage at active rates for two years.
You will be responsible for payment of your portion of all premiums, which will be direct
billed to you.
Travel privileges No travel privileges other than those provided if you qualify for retiree travel privileges
under company policy.
Frequently asked questions Who is eligible for this voluntary early out program (VEOP)? Employees with at least 15 years of seniority. They must be in active status (i.e., in
regular active pay status or on a FMLA, Military, or Parental leave and not on any other
unpaid leave of absence) as of the date the VEOP is first offered, and must rema in in
continuous employment with the company until released under the VEOP.
Which benefits do I receive under this early out?
• Team members will be eligible for medical, dental, vision coverage at active rates
for two years. You'll be responsible to pay the employee portion of all premiums,
which will be direct billed to you. Failing to pay the premiums on time may result in
the loss of coverage.
• Non-revenue travel privileges according to company policy (e .g. 65-point
plan/retiree travel if you meet the age and length of service requirements on your
exit date).
Are there other important things to know about this early out? Yes. It's important to understand that if accepted for the early out program, you would be
permanently separated from the company.
Also, the only pay under this voluntary early out program is any unused accrued vacation
that would be paid out. Team members who participate in this early out program will not
be eligible for any other form of severance.
How are the starting dates and other details of the early out determined? The company determines the starting dates and total number of earty outs, as well as the
locations where they will be offered. Early outs will be awarded by seniority order within a
location.
The company has the discretion to determine release dates under this program. The
company will make a reasonable effort to release all employees selected for this early
out within one year following the awards.
Willi be eligible for unemployment benefits if I take this early out? Leaving the company under this early out program is voluntary and the company may
contest claims for unemployment benefits filed under this program.
Notify us If you would like to proceed with either a Voluntary Leave of Absence or Voluntary Early
Out Program, complete the form:
Fleet Service Form )) (https://c03.keysurvey.com/f/117542/1673/)
Maintenance and Related Form )) (https://c03.keysurvey.com/f/117543/1593/)
Flight Crew Training Instructor Form )) (https://c03.keysurvey.com/f/117545/6cf4/)
Flight Simulator Engineer Form )) (https://c03.keysurvey.com/f/117547/1a8c/)