Reduction in Force

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Rev. 12/19/2007

 

 

December 18, 2007

 

 

Brothers and Sisters of Local #14

 

This week we have been informed by GM management of their plan to implement an indefinite layoff at Powertrain Toledo.  Beginning on 1/7/08, the first phase will place the lowest 150 production member on indefinite layoff. On 1/28/08 we will have  a total of approximately 350 members indefinitely laid off, 250 production and 100 skilled trades. 

 

NOTE: THESE NUMBERS ARE VOLUME DRIVEN AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME BY GM MANAGEMENT.

 

On 1/7/08 the outside contract sweepers (KFM) and Quality Plus (part sorters) will be replaced by our UAW members from the Powertrain Unit.

 

This packet has been put together with frequently asked question about layoffs from our plant and other plants.  We hope that you find it informative.

 

 

In Solidarity,

 

Steve Rupley, Shop Chairman

And Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Phone Numbers

 

Ohio Unemployment Office – Phone: (877) 644-6562

Ohio Unemployment Office – Website:       www.unemployment.ohio.gov

SUB Benefits – Phone:                            (800) 489-4646

SUB Benefits – Website:                         www.layoffbenefits.com

SUB Questions –

UAW Benefits Office:           (419) 470-5162 or (419) 470-5348

UAW Local 14 – Phone:                           (419) 473-2854

UAW Local 14 – Website:                        www.uawlocal14.org

UAW Work Center:                                 (419) 470-5146

 

Inform BOTH GM and UAW Local 14 of any name or address changes while you are laid off.  This is very critical in the event you are recalled to work.  GM does not “share” change of address information with Local 14 on a regular basis.

 

Does 6-speed have different layoff provisions than 4-speed?

  • Indefinite layoffs will be by plant seniority, 4-speed, 6-speed, does not matter.  We are ONE plant.

 

At what point do we start to lose our plant seniority?

  • Under the new National Agreement, no UAW Local 14 member will break seniority during the life of the current four year National Agreement unless you are laid off eighteen (18) continuous months due to an Act of God.

 

What if I am on sick leave or Workers’ Compensation?

  • You will be laid off in line with your seniority when you return to work.

 

Are employees still “members is good standing” of UAW Local 14 while on layoff?

  • Yes, union dues are deducted for SUB pay at a reduced rate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vacations

 

When I return to work (either the JOBS Bank or GM plant), will I have to go a whole year with no vacation time?

  • The first chart shows how much vacation you are entitled to by seniority.  The second chart shows what percentage of your seniority-based vacation entitlement you would receive based on weeks worked for that eligibility year.
  • Vacation allotments are prorated to you (in advance).  If you use more hours than you qualify for based on weeks worked, you may be denied pay or be expected to reimburse the corporation for vacation hours used in excess of your entitlement.

 

Vacation Entitlement by Seniority:

Years of Seniority

Hours of vacation entitlement

Less than 1

40 hours

1, but less than 3

80 hours

3, but less than 5

100 hours

5, but less than 10

120 hours

10, but less than 15

140 hours

15, but less than 20

160 hours

20 or more

200 hours

 

Vacation Entitlement by Weeks Worked:

Pay Periods Worked

Percentage of Hours of Vacation Entitlement

26

100%

25

96%

24

92%

23

88%

22

84%

21

80%

20

76%

19

73%

18

69%

17

65%

16

61%

15

57%

14

53%

13

50%

 

Do our approved vacation days for next year automatically get cancelled if we are still on layoff?

  • Yes, BUT… if you are recalled before your vacation request date, your vacation request will be valid by labor/management mutual agreement.
  • BUT… If you use vacation time without working required number of weeks, GM will withhold money from your paycheck when you return to work.

 

Misc. Contractual Questions

 

If I am laid off prior to a holiday, will I still receive holiday pay?

  • If you are laid off the week prior to the holiday you will receive holiday pay for that holiday under Paragraph 208 and 209 of the National Agreement.

 

How will we be notified when GM wants us to return to work?

  • Normally, notification is sent by certified letter to your address of record.
  • You have five (5) days to respond.
  • Failure to respond within five (5) days is considered by GM to be a “voluntary quit.”
  • Failure to respond on the date specified in your registered letter may result in reduced unemployment/SUB benefits of GM wages.
  • The local union is notified of your “voluntary quit” status.
  • If you move, it is crucial to change your address at BOTH the union hall and at the plant.

 

How long do I have recall rights to Local 14, the JOBS Bank or GMPT – Toledo?

  • Under the 2007 National Agreement, because GM considers these mass layoffs to be “volume-related,” you cannot be laid off more than 48 weeks during the life of the four year agreement.
  • After 48 weeks, if your status has not changed, you will be brought back and placed in the JOBS Bank, or you can elect to stay home and receive 85% of a forty hour paycheck.

 

Once we are laid off, how do we keep informed?

  • You can attend union meetings. The second Sunday of the month.
  • You can visit the UAW Local 14 website. www.uawlocal14.org
  • You can call the UAW Local 14 Union Hall. (419) 473-2854
  • You can call the UAW Local 14 Work Center. (419) 470-5146 or (419) 470-5489 Please note: It is vitally important that you keep your address and phone number current at the union hall. Giving management your change of address or telephone number does not automatically update your record at the union hall.

 

Should we clean out our lockers and turn in equipment?

·         It’s recommended that you take your personal property home.

 

How can we find out about transfer opportunities?

·         Call 1-800-NAT-HIRE.  (800) 628-4473.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit Questions

UAW Benefit Office: (419) 470-5162 or (419) 470-5348

National Benefit Center: (800) 489-4646

 

How long do our benefits last after being laid off?

 

Years of Seniority

Max # of months of Health, Vision and Dental Care

Less than 1

1 (no vision or dental)

1, but less than 2

4

2, but less than 3

6

3, but less than 4

8

4, but less than 5

10

5, but less than 10

13

10 and over

25

 

Do dental and optical last as long as our health care?

·         Yes

 

How long does SUB pay last?

·         You must have one year (12 months) seniority to qualify for SUB (Supplemental Unemployment Benefits) pay, for up to 48 weeks.  After 48 weeks you will be placed in the JOBS Bank.

·         Call 1-800-489-4646 to check on SUB pay if you are eligible.

·         If your SUB pay check is late, but the SUB pay electronic menu states your check was mailed on a specific date, you must wait 10 business days to request a replacement check.

·         Once you have exhausted your unemployment benefits, you will be eligible to receive full SUB pay.

 

Will we run out of SUB credits?

·         No

 

Is SUB pay taxed?

·         Yes

 

Do we need a PIN to access our benefits (including SUB pay) information through Fidelity?

·         Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do we establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) with Fidelity?

·         If you have a Personal Savings Plan (PSP) and have already established a PIN, you may use the same PIN to access the Fidelity system.

·         To set up a new PIN, call the GM Benefits & Service Center at 1-800-489-4646.

·         Enter your Social Security Number (SSN) when prompted.  Enter your date of birth when prompted.  Enter ZIP code when prompted.

·         Input a 6-12 digit PIN.  You will be asked to enter this SAME PIN twice for confirmation.

·         Finally, you will be asked to set up one of these five reminder questions: First name of your best friend from high school; favorite restaurant; first pet; model of your first car; or name of street where you grew up.  If you forget your PIN, your answer to the question you select will serve as verification and allow you to re-establish you PIN.

 

How long are UAW-GM legal services available?

·         Employees with at least 90 days seniority will be eligible to use UAW-GM Legal Services for 24 months, commencing the first month after the month in which they are laid off.

 

How does the layoff affect Domestic Partner benefits?

·         No change.

 

Is GM offering any “early outs?”

·         Under the 2007 National Agreement, a Special Attrition Program (SAP) similar to the one that was offered in 2006 will be offered, but no date has been set yet.

·         When the SAP is offered, it will be announced with details.

 

Are there any UAW benefits (local or national) such as discounts, extra life insurance, etc., that we won’t be eligible for whole on indefinite layoff?

·         Yes.  Employee-paid additional life insurance is limited if seniority is less than 10 years.

·         Call the National Benefits Center at 1-800-489-4646 to determine your eligibility

 

 

 

 

 

TAP/Dependent Scholarship/Skill Center

 

How much Tuition Assistance is a laid off employee eligible for?

·         Indefinitely laid off employees are eligible for TAP as long as they have recall or rehire rights and have at least one year of seniority.

o        Seniority as of date of layoff

o        1 to 3 years             $6400

o        3 or 4 years             $7400

o        4 or more years        $8400

·         Certain changes in employment status will affect eligibility.

·         Questions should be directed to Gary Hutt at (419) 470-5018

 

Who handles TAP questions?

·         You can call the Education & Training Department at (419) 470-5018

·         For some very specific questions that relate to an unusual or individual case, the employee may have to contact the TAP office directly.

o        Call 1-800-228-2946 or 1-800-650-0671 for employee TAP information or Dependent Scholarship information.

·         You can apply for TAP on line at www.uawgmjas.org

 

Will I still have access to the in-plant UAW-GM Skill Center after I’m laid off?

·         Permanent employees who have at least 90 days seniority who are still receiving benefits (health care) can access the skill center during layoff.

 

If I am on layoff, am I still eligible to use the UAW-GM scholarship for Dependent Children?

·         Yes, eligible employees are:

o        Active workforce.

o        Employees on leave of absence receiving benefits.

o        Laid off employees receiving benefits.

o        Retired GM employees.

o        Dependent children of deceased employees.

 

Can I take onsite classes while on layoff?

·         Under the 2007 National Agreement, you can take TAP-eligible classes while on layoff and collecting benefits.

 

 

How do I sign up for pre-retirement classes?

  • Contact your UAW Work/Family Representatives,                                    Steve Dudley or Peggy McKnight-Wilson at (419) 470-5130.

 

 

 

 

Unemployment

 

How long will unemployment compensation and SUB benefits last?

  • The one (1) year seniority eligibility requirement for SUB benefits has been waived.
  • You will receive up to a total of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, less any weeks already claimed during your current benefit year (prior 12 months).
  • If an extension is available, notice will appear on your last unemployment check.
  • If you exhaust your unemployment benefits you may have to file a claim for a new benefit year.
  • It is your responsibility to file a new claim once your current benefit year in exhausted.
  • There are two ways to “exhaust” your unemployment benefits: first, you can use up your 26 weeks of unemployment benefits; second, you can reach the end of your benefits year and have to file a new claim (even though it seems like you have weeks of unemployment benefits left, your calendar year has expired).
  • After exhausting unemployment benefits, SUB pay will increase to make up the difference, up to 48 weeks.
  • SUB pay: 1-800-489-4646
  • On the web: www.layoffbenefits.com
  • After 48 weeks of layoff, members will be placed into the JOBS Bank until they are placed, or up to the expiration of the new National Agreement.
  • Your unemployment check stub shows how many weeks of benefits you have remaining.  You must save your last unemployment check stub showing zero weeks of benefits balance to begin receiving full SUB pay.

 

Is SUB pay taxed?

  • Yes

 

If I have leftover vacation days at the end of the year, do I have to claim that as earnings for unemployment?

  • Your leftover vacation days are a prior year benefit, therefore the vacation pay is not for the week you are currently claiming, so you do not have to claim the vacation pay as earnings.

 

What if, due to sick leave or Workers’ Compensation, I do not have enough work weeks in my benefit year to qualify for unemployment benefits?

  • SUB pay will increase to compensate for lack of unemployment benefits.

 

Will court-ordered child support be withheld from my unemployment check?

  • Court-ordered child support should be withheld for balance of benefit year. If it is not, please contact your unemployment office.
  • If the order changes, you must notify the unemployment office.

 

Can we have our unemployment and SUB pay checks direct deposited?

  • No

Work/Family

 

Will we still have access to the Work/Family Program?

  • Yes
  • Work/Family Representatives:
    • Steve Dudley
    • Peggy McKnight-Wilson
  • Office: (419) 470-5130

 

Will I still be able to see my counselor while laid off?

  • Based on your seniority, there is a sliding scale on how much health care you have remaining.
  • You will be able to see your therapist until your benefit runs out.

 

Will I be able to open a new case with the Work/Family office if my family or I need help?

  • Yes, we are committed to helping you and your family with your needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area Hire

 

Do we hold plant seniority if we are picked up by Area Hire?

  • Yes.

 

Will Area Hire/Extended Area Hire take into consideration spouses that work in the same plant?

  • No. Area Hire and Extended Area Hire operate by seniority, not by marital status.

 

If I accept a job within our Area Hire, do I have return rights to Local 14?

  • If you are assigned to a job within our Area Hire, you retain return rights to Local 14.
  • If you request or volunteer (i.e., file for transfer) for an assignment to a job within our Area Hire, you give up your return rights to UAW Local 14.

 

How long do permanent employees have recall rights?

  • After 48 weeks of layoff, if your status has not changed, you will be brought back and placed in the JOBS bank.

 

When will I be placed in the Area Hire or Extended Hire pool?

  • When you are laid off, you are immediately and automatically placed in the Area Hire pool.
  • Area Hire includes all GM-UAW Willow Run, SPO Bellville, and Romulus Engine plants (50 mile radius).
  • For Extended Area Hire (which is voluntary via transfer application under Appendix A of the National Agreement), you must submit an application for transfer to a plant location under the terms of the National Agreement.
  • Call 1-800-NAT-HIRE [1-800-628-4473] for plant CISCO numbers or refer to list in this document.

 

Do I have to accept an Area Hire offer?

  • You do not have to accept an offer for Area Hire, BUT…
  • If you refuse an offer for Area Hire, you will lose all your GM benefits and unemployment/SUB pay benefits.
  • If you refuse an Area Hire offer, you will still retain recall and rehire rights [you will be placed on “personal leave” status] to the bargaining unit (UAW Local 14).

 

What is the distance for Area Hire?

  • 50 mile radius
  • GM and the International UAW can extend or contract the 50 mile limit by mutual agreement.
  • Our current Area Hire includes GMPT Willow Run, SPO Bellville, and GMPT Romulus Engine.

 

If picked up by another plant, can we return to the Local 14 JOBS bank after 48 weeks?

  • No. If you are picked up by another plant, you are no longer on lay off status.

Extended Area Hire

 

Can I be forced to move out of state to take a job in Extended Area Hire?

  • No, Extended Area Hire is voluntary (i.e., transfer) only, in line with your seniority. [Appendix A of the National Agreement]

 

I signed a three year contact to move here for a job. Am I stuck here after I’m laid off?

  • Once you are laid off, your status is changed and your contract is void, so you can apply for Extended Area Hire again.

 

How many Extended Area Hire transfers can I put in?

  • You can put in a total of three Extended Area Hire transfers per year over the life of the 2007 National Agreement.
  • If you put in more than three Extended Area Hire transfers, National Hire will only consider the three most recent applications for transfer.
  • Applications for transfer are usually “dumped” at the end of the year, and new applications must be submitted.

 

How many times can I turn down offers of Extended Area Hire transfers I’ve submitted before I’m removed from the Extended Area Hire pool?

  • Three (3).

 

 

CISCO

Division