What motive would the company have to not call this payment a COLA?
Wouldn't it be tax free if it was a COLA? You would think that the company would want the money to go as far as it can towards making someone's QOL at an FDA less of a burden. If they don't call it a COLA, do they get to write it off differently? Does it come out of a different pot of money?

I realize that the union doesn't want it to be a COLA, because they won't get their piece of the pie. I also realize that if it is a COLA then it is not pensionable, but I would think that tax free would be the way to go for everyone (except ALPA).

Someone please enlighten me.