The twelve month Voluntary Furlough period, which began in March 2012, will end on March 1, 2013.  At that time, all Flight Attendants on Voluntary Furlough are scheduled to return to work.  Despite the reductions to the Flight Attendant overage through Early Out and Cross Over, there is a current overage of 1550 Flight Attendants. 

The company has announced a new Voluntary Furlough period of 13 months for 1550 Flight Attendant for March, as a result of United's continuing overage of Flight Attendants, effective March 2, 2013, ending on March 31, 2014.  Additionally, there will be an option for a Partnership Program bid for a 3-month period for the March through May schedule months that will be implemented in an effort to eliminate any need for involuntary furlough.

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 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 March 2, 2013 effective date of the Voluntary Furlough.  This medical clearance must be received and approved by company medical no later than Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 1700 Central Time. 

Voluntary Furloughs will be awarded in system seniority order.  Flight Attendants awarded Voluntary Furlough will continue to receive the Contractual benefits 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 Voluntary Furlough Information Packet, dated November 8, 2012, and read it carefully.

Bidding for Voluntary Furlough and Partnership will both open on November 12, 2012 at 0800 Central Time.  Voluntary Furlough bids will close on December 17, 2012 at 0800 Central Time with awards posted no later than 1700 Central Time on December 17, 2012.  Bidding for Partnership flying will close on December 20, 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 01, 2013. This documentation must be received and approved by United Medical no later than 1700 Central Time on December 13, 2012.

Voluntary Furlough & Partnership Bidding & Award

Flight Attendants who are active, as well as those on Voluntary Furlough, can bid for the Voluntary Furlough via the Unimatic VOLUN screen or follow the prompts in CATS.  Refer to the Voluntary Furlough Information Packet, dated November 8, 2012, 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 Voluntary Furlough Information Packet, dated November 8, 2012.