Bidding for the June 1, 2011; 9 month Voluntary Furlough will close on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 0800 Chicago Time. United announced this Voluntary Furlough program on March 29 for an additional 400 Flight Attendants.
The 9-month furlough has an effective day of June 1 and ends on March 1, 2012. AFA worked with United and agreed on a Voluntary Furlough options 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 our original March 29, 2011 Voluntary Furlough Announcement for additional details.
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.
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.
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.
Timeline
| March 30 |
2011 Voluntary Furlough bid period opened 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 |
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.
Please refer to our March 29, 2011 article for additional details and information, including United’s June, 2011 Voluntary Furlough packet.