Voluntary Leaves?
 

Any word/rumors on how this would work? Duration? Benefits? Seniority accrual...etc

Have you tried Section 23?


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Except the union communication was that sec 23 was not being looked at and that other leaves (paid an unpaid) were being considered and that info would be out late last week. Crickets since then, which can't be a good sign......

Honestly I’d rather hear crickets right now than them rush out a bunch of hyperbole and change it every couple of days as this crisis deepens. Look what happened over at Delta. I’m guessing we’re in for some sobering news tomorrow.

I’m thinking the delay in details isn’t a good thing either. I’d like a leave ASAP but without knowing any details, impossible to plan anything. May know more tomorrow but things change fast.

Just now....

Alaska Airlines today announced plans to reduce its flight schedule for April and May by approximately 70%
​​​​​​https://newsroom.alaskaair.com/2020-...-conserve-cash

Notable:

1. Flight schedules for June and beyond will be based on demand, but it is our expectation that reductions will be substantial for at least the next several months.
2. Alaska – like other airlines – is seeing demand reductions of more than 80%.
3. ​​​​​​We are announcing today the suspension of our cash dividend and we have previously announced the suspension of our share repurchase program.
4. We have drawn down $400 million on our line of credit and closed an additional secured loan for $425 million today.
5. We are announcing officer pay reductions through Sept. 30 as follows:
   • 100% pay reduction for both the CEO and President of Alaska Airlines;
   • 50% for the President of Horizon Air;
   • 30% for EVPs and SVPs; and
   • 20% for VPs and MDs.
6. We are actively soliciting employees who are interested in voluntary leaves of absence, under which Alaska would continue to pay both health and travel benefits.
7. We have suspended annual pay increases, plan to reduce hours for management employees, and will release contractors and temporary workers.

American is on their 2nd round of bidding for leaves. 620 opted for early retirements. What the hell is taking Alaska so long to organize early out/ LOA bids? Let’s go.

Line bidding

I believe you are confusing voluntary LOAs with "incentive" or no-fly lines.

VLOAs can be taken now, virtually no questions asked. 30-60-90-120 days. No pay. Company continues to pay health benefits (although yesterday's webcast seemed to erroneously outline that the company would pay the EMPLOYEE'S share...I thought they only paid theirs and the employee had to continue to pay their existing co-pays...this needs to be clarified)

Incentive lines (no-fly) will be coming and will be seniority based. They have two choices absent a MOU: pay everyone the CBA min of 75 and build lines for every bidder with way less block hours; or furlough, which they have stated over and over they don't (and can't if they take stimulus $). Saw a Rep last week and he confirmed they were working on details.
My guess is they'll be part of the monthly bid. Say there are 150 Incentive lines for SEA CA, lines 1-150 will be in the bid pack as worth X hours and show no trips. The rest will be normal lines, with perhaps less flying than 75 but still worth 75. Anyone senior who wants to make more $ can bid lines 1-150. The usual suspects will do so.

And yes, PBS would have allowed them to re-bid April. Will be interesting to see how much trips are cobbled up. Folks are going to show up for multi-day trips and fly 2-3 legs. Lots of time in hotel rooms!

I’ve heard management has no appetite for paying for early retirements like American.