1st overnite

Since ALPA was successful in changing retirement to age 65, why am I still donating to VEBA? Wasn't it supposed to support health care until age 65? Now ALPA wants us to work until 65 so why the need for VEBA?

mrzog2138

I have been screaming at the top of my longs on this subject to no avail. Don't forget the $43.2 million dollars the company gave (which basically was $10,000 per pilot). So for everyone under 53 years old, in essence we are giving up $10,000 to supplement healthcare to individuals who are fully covered. Explain me that one. I just don't get it.

The CBA allows for the discontinuation of VEBA. Section 27.I.5
The Association will prepare and adopt the Post-Medicare Plan and VEBA documents. The Association shall have the sole power to amend the Post-Medicare Plan and VEBA at any time, without the Company’s consent, provided that no modifi cation (i) shall conflict with the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) shall increase the obligations of the Company under this Agreement
without the Company’s consent.

Here is the rub. VEBA is administered by three members (2 retired and 1 active). Wonder which way the 2 retired members would vote if it came up for discontinuation? So I guess we are hostage to this. But this is reason enough for me to justify that our leadership does not care for the MAJORITY of the crewforce.

Busboy

I agree, kind of...The problem is, many of us don't plan on flying to 65. Do you?

I liked the idea of reducing that initial $25,000, by $5,000/yr for anyone that qualifies and stays past age 60. And, put that money back in the pot for those of us that do retire at age 60, down the road.

MEMFO4Ever

Not yet I don't, but WHEN the company gets concessions on both the A fund multiplier and B fund contribution (since we now have the 'privilege' of working until we are 65) I will be financially compelled to work until 65.

VEBA should go away; now.

Hamstrung yet again.

HoursHore

If VEBA goes away, then the Age 60 age for retirement in this contract will go away and you have to work to 65. Keep it around to at least get some geezers out the door.

1st overnite

I don't plan on working to 65, but even retiring at 60, why do these guys need VEBA and the $10k? Have they not put any money away for themselves?


I also agree with the feeling that ALPA isn't working for the majority. When the majority both nationwide and within FedEx didn't want the change to age 65, they still pushed for it. I have a friend who knows a lobbyist in DC that said age 65 would have never gone through if ALPA didn't push so hard. Do you think the politicians care when we retire? I'm sure they slept well with their mistresses regards of when we would retire.

This isn't just about age 65, VEBA and the side letter getting rid of city purity. It just seems like lately we are representing the union rather than the union representing us. Maybe those who voted no to the contract really weren't just crazy nonconformist.

Laughing_Jakal

Don't aconfuse VEBA with the HRA

We all get VEBA.....HRA was for the 53 year olds

Busboy

Not confused... I just think that if a guy age 53 on 1/07, decides to keep working. He should not get the $25,000 HRA. It should be pro-rated.

I think VEBA was a great idea. And, I think we should keep it. As, most everyone that plans on retiring at 60, will need it. However, with all the defeatists we seem to have...I may not have a choice.

Laughing_Jakal

I asked DW at the town hall meeting...unfortunately the guys that keep working still get it....I suggested that buying dinner for the crew should be an authorized HRA expense since that was our scope money that paid for that card....

fdx727pilot

So you want the guys reaching 60 this year to retire, yet give up their VEBA?

Or are you advocating they be forced to stay until 65, because you want to cancel their insurance?