The real point to be understood is that the NC made an earnest effort to fix the gap between mandatory retirement age 60 health care benefits and the onset of Medicare at age 65 for those guys that will be affected during this contract. This may seem like a cornerstone issue for only a small percentage of us, but it's in all our interests to establish a fix as early as possible. Besides, it's the right thing to do: many of these guys have been fighting for a decent contract for almost 20 years. They won't benefit from many of the enhancements we may get. Let's at least give 'em something worthwhile as they come to the end of their careers.

 

I have to echo Albief15. I try to stay in shape, watch what I eat, still ride my bike, and push around some iron in the gym. Last year I was out of work for 4 months because of a GI problem and I'm a 40-something guy in good health. I also got to use my Disability Sick Account and watched it diminish quickly. My bottom line: I will probably have a flare of this again that may require surgery so YES! Healthcare is VERY important to me -- now and after I retire. FYI, there are about 90 guys out EVERY month on medical and while convalescing, I got in touch with a number of guys who had been out for knee replacements, back surgery, shoulder surgery (LOTS of dudes have bad shoulders at FedEx, I was surprised), and other ailments. I am glad we're getting this enhancement, and I am thankful for the hard work the guys put in to it.

 

One of the reasons FedEx wants the EFB!

Also, ever notice all those guys in the AOC with "tennis elbow", they have the bands on their forearms just below their elbows. The guys with the band on the right arms are FOs and the guys with the bands on the left arms are Capts. I never noticed it myself until climbing out of my seat and lifting my Jepps at the same time and ended up with one of those bands for about 2-3 months. I was lucky and it only cost me 2-3 sick days!

 

I call it "luggage elbow" or I guess "Jepps elbow" would be more appropriate.

 

Jepp Bags aren't the reason for those bands on the elbows......too much time in a hotel room with free highspeed internet is the problem!

 

Folks, you are missing my point. I am NOT trying to diminish the importance of fixing retiree healthcare. I am not saying that it shouldn't be an important concern for those that are soon to be retired.

What I am saying is that we all filled out a multiple page, multiple question survey that was to DICTATE what issues are CORNERSTONE.

When we filled that out, a little more than 12% were to retire (and back then, most of the non-members by the way). How was it that after reviewing the data provided by our membership collectively, retiree healthcare was in those top four?

Think:

Pay
Retirement
Scope
Scheduling
Workrules
Vacation
CURRENT HEALTHCARE COSTS

Now, again.......how is it that 12% of our crewforce dictated the direction of the goals of the NC?

Did the NC do a fantastic job achieving a TA? Absolutely! I have confidence in my union as well as B.C. I am just asking, does everyone here agree that retiree healthcare legitimately should be placed in the top 4?

 

Another way to look at it:

1. If the company said "NO RAISES AT ALL FOR YOU" would you have struck?

2. If the company said "WE ARE TAKING 2 VACATION DAYS FROM YOU" would you have struck?

3. How about if the company said "Chinese pilots are flying ALL SIBA" would you have struck?

4. Or, "we are cutting your A-plan and B-fund by 3%" would you have struck.

5. Perhaps "for more productivity, min days off is now 10 per month" would you have struck?

Now that gets me to, "we aren't changing retiree healthcare....it stays the same" Would you have struck?

Basically, it's not a "gotta fix it or else" issue, so how the heck is it a CORNERSTONE one?

Gotta follow my line of thought here....

 

Absolutely.





.

 

I disagree with your line of thought.


Speak to a recent retiree about healthcare costs.


It needs fixin'.






.

 

I did (Healthcare at least) and I'm not anywhere close to retiring. It needs to be fixed now before it becomes too overwhelming. Its not all about the money!