Furlough info from the contract and the union. If we are going to speculate, at least look at some info/facts before posting <g>
Can't displace out of seniority order. Could only hope they furloughed Mil folks out of seniority order. Ever hear of the Dept of Labor/Justice Military Class action lawsuit against AMR? Yep, UPS would regret such a reckless move. AMR lost by the way, settling on the way into Federal Court.
BM stated on Feb 08, 2008 regarding Crew Staffing and Displacements.
"It is important to know that the Company has not disputed the Association’s numbers. The Company, however, makes an assumption that crewmembers will rescue the system by picking up high percentages of open time."
BM stated on Sept 19, 2008:
"have received many expressions of concern-especially from our junior members-regarding rumors that the Company could potentially conduct a pilot furlough should the DHL deal collapse. Indeed, a top UPS official speaking to crewmembers in Cologne several weeks ago would not rule out the possibility when specifically asked. Since that time, the Company has stated that they have no furlough plans. We take them at their word. Nevertheless, the Executive Board believes it is necessary to clearly and publicly state our position.
"First and foremost, we are an Association that defends the rights of all members-including the most junior. Let there be no doubt, should UPS announce any furlough plans affecting IPA crewmembers, the Association will invoke Article 13.K.9., and recommend that all members refrain from flying open time. The Association's recommendation would remain in place until the Company removed any furlough threat.
I want to stress that we are not recommending an open time ban today. We are not predicting a furlough tomorrow. What we are doing is sending a very clear signal to UPS that IPA will not tolerate a furlough threat in the future.
Just as we did when the Company announced a wrongheaded plan in 2003, we will rally around and protect each other-junior and senior. At that time, the Association came together and protected our careers and livelihoods. If necessary, we will do the same again.
Article 8.
G. Furlough and Recall
1. Furlough Notice
When a reduction in crewmembers covered by this Agreement
becomes necessary, crewmembers will be furloughed in
reverse order of seniority. Each crewmember to be furloughed
shall be notified of the furlough and, if possible, of the probable
duration thereof in writing at his last filed address. When it
becomes necessary to furlough crewmembers covered by this
Agreement, at least ninety (90) calendar days notice of such
furlough shall be given to all crewmembers affected, or pay in
lieu thereof, except in cases when the furlough is caused by:
a. Acts of God;
b. Circumstances over which the Company has no control
(which by definition shall not include a reduction of
volume); or
c. Strikes or other work stoppages.
2. Recall
Recall from furlough shall be accomplished in order of seniority
and prior to the employment of new hires. Crewmembers
furloughed prior to the completion of their probationary period
shall be required to complete the remainder of their
probationary period subsequent to recall.
3. Assignment After Recall
Crewmembers returning from furlough shall resume active service in accordance with their seniority.
4. Filing Address/Telephone Notice
At the time of furlough, each furloughed crewmember shall file
his correct address and telephone number in writing with the
Office of the Chief Pilot and shall, within seven (7) calendar
days, advise the Office of the Chief Pilot, in writing, of any
subsequent change of address or telephone number while he
is on furlough.
5. Recall Notice
Furloughed crewmembers shall be notified of their recall in
writing. The notification shall specify a date of return to active
duty. A recalled crewmember may, but shall not be required
to, return to active duty less than thirty (30) calendar days after
the date of receipt of such notice. When justifiable
circumstances exist, additional time to report for duty may be
permitted by the Company.
6. Recall Notice Answer
Each crewmember shall answer his recall notice in writing.
Such answer must be received by the Office of the Chief Pilot
within twenty (20) calendar days from the time the recall notice
was received by the crewmember as evidenced by the return
receipt showing delivery to the crewmember’s last filed
address. The answer shall state the crewmember’s intent to
accept or reject recall.
a. Recalls shall be offered in seniority order and assigned in
reverse seniority order.
b. A crewmember shall have the right to decline recall but
shall indicate the date upon which he is available for recall
provided that he must be available within one (1) year from
the date of receipt of the notice of recall. However, if
during the period of furlough the crewmember entered into
a legally binding pilot employment contract, the
crewmember shall have up to two (2) years from the date
of the recall notice to return to work if a position is
available. The Company shall return the crewmember to
the first position which becomes available to which he is
entitled after the above date provided by the crewmember.
If the crewmember fails to return to work when he is
notified of such opening, he shall cease to have seniority
and his employment with the Company shall be considered
terminated for all purposes.
c. At the time of furlough, crewmembers shall retain their
seniority number for seven (7) years at which time such
furlough shall expire and seniority shall be forfeited.
d. Notifications and answers thereto required under this
Article shall be made either by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, or by telegram, reply requested,
within the time limits specified in this Article.