Originally Posted by
daldude
I was under the impression that when we merged with NW we allowed them to join DPMA. So essentially 4500 new bodies of all ages had instant disability benifits with out ever paying in while they were young and healthy. This was the primary cause of the rate increase. I heard this from a capt that has some affiliation with administering the DPMA program, so it is purely second had info.
To quote from the DPMA letter from 2008:
"The JCBA contractually offers pre-merger NWA pilots the opportunity to enroll in DPMA following DCC in recognition of their accrued NWA sick leave balances."
Some folks had SUBSTANTIAL sick banks, and sick banks over 1,500 hours were not uncommon. 1,500 hours at 80 hrs/mo is nearly 19 months of pay.
Nu