April 13, 2006
Dear Members,
On April 11, 2006 we held informational meetings pertaining to the Special Attrition Program.
For those who were unable to attend, we put together this flyer comprised of questions that were asked and answered from all three meetings. We hope this information will help each and every member make an informed decision regarding the Special Attrition Program.
Q: If you had to
check one box, GM or
A: DO NOT take this as advice. You have to make your own decisions. Checking
the GM box is a vehicle to have benefits, insurance, and a
Q: If you have 27-29 years and you take the Special Attrition Program, then they do away with 30 & out in a new agreement, what happens to us?
A: The “GM Guarantee” protects your benefits and the 30 and out at the same level as GM employees.
Q: Who gets the $35,000.00 and when do you get the money?
A: 65+ years old, 30 years of service, 60 years old with 10 years seniority, and 85 points; paid 3-4 weeks after you retire.
Q: Those with 27-29 years who go out on the Special Attrition Program, once you reach your 30 years, what happens?
A: You get your pension and benefits based on 30 years of service at the level equal to that of a GM employee.
Q: Is it up to management when you leave?
A: When you sign up for the Special Attrition Program, on the back where you sign and date it, put above your signature the date you would like to leave. Management has agreed to honor that date as close as possible. With that in mind they will consider your level of expertise and the impact your leaving will have on the day-to-day operations of the business when they consider the date you write above your signature; however, no later than January 1, 2007.
Q: How long do I have to sign up and make a decision?
A: You have until May 26 to make your decision. After you turn in Form B you have seven days to change your mind.
Q: Where do I sign and with who?
A: Employees eligible must sign up with Personnel in the Labor Relations department.
Q: What do you mean, “Check the box?”
A: “Checking the box,” means GM will cover
your benefits when you retire. Your
pension is still
Q: If I don’t have my 30 years seniority until November 2006, do I get the $35,000.00 and do I enroll during the 45-day enrollment period?
A: Yes.
Q: Do those of us with 27-29 years that are out on the Special Attrition Program still get the education benefits?
A: Yes.
Q: If you are out on the Special Attrition Program with 27-29 years, can you be called back to work as a temp?
A: No. Management cannot call you back as a temp and you cannot volunteer to come back as a temp.
Q: Can you defer any of the $35,000.00 to a 401K program?
A: No.
Q: If I am short by just a few hours and I am investigating this lack of time with Fidelity when the 45-day enrollment period ends, what happens if I find out that I DID have enough time to be eligible to enroll in the Special Attrition Program?
A: Vice President Shoemaker stated that this issue would be addressed.
Q: When you sign up for the Special Attrition Program with 27-29 years, are you signing up for retirement?
A: No. You are signing up for the pre-retirement program. You will be getting a weekly paycheck. When you reach 30 years, you are locked in and must sign up for retirement.
Q: Will I still get Dental and Vision while out on the Special Attrition Program?
A: Delphi will cover those benefits,
unless
Q: If I have 25 years seniority, and
A: You have to work at the new benefits and pay rate UNTIL you reach 30 years of seniority, then you can retire and get the pension, benefits and life insurance equal to that of a GM employee.
Q: Those with 27-29 years out on the Special Attrition Program, can we get a job?
A: Yes. You have the right to get a job. There are no restrictions on earnings or employment.
Q: Is there an expiration date or deadline attached to the “GM Guarantee”?
A: The “GM Guarantee” HAS to be triggered by October 2007. If it is not triggered by then, it will not exist. For those that “check the box” the guarantee is considered triggered.
Q: Can we use our unused vacation time towards hours needed to reach our 30 years to retire?
A: Yes. The vacation time allocated this year can be used to achieve 30 years ONLY. You may not use this years’ allocated vacation towards achieving 27, 28, or 29 years of credited service.
Q: If I got paid for un-used vacation from last year (2005) in January of 2006, do those hours count towards achieving 27, 28, or 29 years of credited service?
A: Yes. It may also be used towards achieving your 30 years of credited service.
Q: Could you talk about “temps filling the gaps” for people leaving on the Special Attrition Program?
A: This language is written in the National Agreement. Temps are hired by mutual agreement (union/management) only, including who comes into the plant as temps.
Q: If we go on strike, which I hope does not happen, will the “temps” continue to work?
A: No.
As far as I’m concerned, it will be the end of their employment with
Q: I qualify for two to three of the options as laid out in the Special Attrition Program. Which one should I choose?
A: You have to make that decision. Your benefits representatives can go over each option to see what one works best for you.
Q: If I don’t leave until July 1, 2006, will I get paid for my unused vacation and if I will, when will I get the money?
A: Yes. After 26 weeks worked you are entitled to 100% of your vacation at the rate you are earning now. This money will be paid about 30 days after you leave.
Q: If I have my 30 years by January 1, 2007 do I have to sign up for the Special Attrition Program or just fill out my papers when I am eligible to retire?
A: If you don’t want the $35,000.00 you can do that. But, if you want that money you have to sign up during the 45-day enrollment period.
Q: If I retire, can I be hired as a temp?
A: No. You can only be hired back as a contract management employee.
Q: Can any decisions made by the court effect the people out on the Special Attrition Program.
A: No. Vice President Shoemaker said, “He will not agree to a Special Attrition program that is dependent on court decisions”, the Special Attrition program is an entity of itself and not subject to court proceedings.
Q: What is the International Union doing to protect the union from losing strength resulting from the outflow of elected Union Representatives that are currently eligible for the Special Attrition Program?
A: Vice President Shoemaker understands the concern and is currently addressing that issue.
Q: If I flow back to GM, what kind of money will I receive?
A: That depends on the category you fall in. This language is dictated in the National Agreement.
Q: If I have 28 years of service and I don’t take the Special Attrition Program, then something happens that triggers the GM Guarantee; If the new contract language cuts the 30 and out benefit, do I have to wait until I am 62 years old in order to retire with a pension and GM benefits?
A: You do not have to wait to retire until you are 62 IF you qualify for the “GM Guarantee”, you may do so once you reach your 30 years.
Q: Do employees on sick leave or temporary layoff have to comeback in order to sign up for the Special Attrition Program?
A: They do not have to come back to work, but they will have to come in to sign the forms.
Q: God forbid, but, if something happens to me prior to receiving the $35,000.00, is my spouse entitled to that money?
A: Yes. As long as you signed both “Form A” and “Form B” prior to anything happening to you.
Q: How will the money be taxed?
A: 25% Federal and whatever the State and Local taxes would be.
Q: What Plants can I put in for flow back?
A: You can put in for all of them, but are not guaranteed a specific one.
Q: Can those of us going out on the Special Attrition Program with 27-29 years still get direct deposit?
A: Yes.
Q: If we have questions while out on the Pre-Retirement regarding benefits, whom do we call?
A: Your local union benefit representatives. Phone: 585-647-7840 and 7841.
Q: For those of us who are out with 27-29 years, when we reach our 30 years, do we have to come back in to sign our retirement papers?
A: Yes.
Q: Are there going to be postings on what GM plants are accepting flow backs?
A: No. GM is also rolling out this Special Attrition Program; therefore, there will be openings at many plants.
Q: Can I call to see where I am on the list for a specific plant that I have applied to flow back to?
A: No. It will be too confusing. One day you may be number one on the list, the next day you may be number three hundred.
Q: Are there any provisions in place to allow spouses to flow back to GM together?
A: No.
Q: How does being out on the Pre-Retirement Program affect my Social Security?
A: The Social Security office should answer these types of questions.
Q: I already called for my papers but have not received them; do I have to call for them again?
A: No, as long as the date is still valid. You do have to sign up for the Special Attrition Program if you want the $35,000.00.
Q: If I am involved right now with a Workman’s Compensation injury, do I forfeit my case if I enroll in any of the Special Attrition Programs being offered?
A: Possibly. On Form “B” of the Special Attrition Program there is a disclaimer in the fifth paragraph, which, if you sign any option of the Special Attrition Program, it’s possible you will waive any liability Delphi Corporation might have regarding your Comp. injury. The International Union recommends that you speak with your Comp. Lawyer before signing anything.
Q: If the bankruptcy judge does not render a decision before the 45-day enrollment period, will they extend the enrollment period so I can make an informed decision?
A: No.
Q: If you have a loan with GMAC are they automatically going to take that money out of your $35,000.00?
A: No. GMAC will send you a coupon book and it will be your responsibility to make those payments.
Q: Will union dues be taken from those on the Pre-Retirement Program collecting a weekly paycheck?
A: Yes, based on your hourly rate.
Q: If I have outstanding child support, can they recover the past due amount from the $35,000.00?
A: Yes.
Q: Will the $35,000.00 be considered wages earned towards your Social Security limit?
A: Please contact the Social Security office for that information.
Q: If I don’t have 27 years yet, can I work overtime in an attempt to attain my 27th year of credited service?
A: Yes. You need 1615 hours worked for one (1) year of credited service.
Q: Is there a deadline to sign up for flowing back to GM?
A: Yes, December 31, 2006.
Q: If I am out on the Pre-Retirement program and we go on strike, do I go on strike too?
A: No, you are exempt from a strike. I would hope that you would take the time to support those who do have to go on strike.
Q: If the court rejects
A:
Q: If they do end up reaching a mutual agreement, do the people out on Special Attrition Program vote on the new contract?
A: Yes, but the changes made in the new contract will not apply to you. You will be voting on the pay and benefits of the UAW Members currently working. This will be an opportunity for you to help protect your brothers and sisters against take aways.
Q: If someone signs up for the Special Attrition Program who won’t have their 30 years credited service until December 31, 2006 and we go on strike in July; do we stop accruing credits towards our 30 years and go on strike too?
A: Yes. A strike could prevent you from attaining your 30 years of credited service.
Q: If eligible, can you retire from a strike?
A: Yes.
Q: What are Fidelity’s business hours?
A: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Easter Standard Time
Q: Can I sign “Form A” and NOT “Form B” and still be considered “enrolled” in the Special Attrition Program?
A: No. You must sign both forms to be considered “enrolled” in the Special Attrition Program. These forms must be signed in front of a Labor Relations Representative at which point they will sign as a “witness”.
Q: When is the deadline to turn in your paperwork for the Special Attrition Program?
A: May 26, 2006. Make sure that BOTH forms are submitted otherwise you will not be considered enrolled.
Q: Where do I put the date I wish to leave the plant?
A: Write that date above your signature on Form “A”. Management has agreed to try to honor as many of those requests as possible. They will not be able to honor all request because some classifications will be impacted significantly and they still have to run the business.
Q: If I write “July 1” above my signature and I have 27.6 years at that time, and Management does not let me leave until December 31, 2006, what will be my weekly pay when I DO leave?
A: You must sign up for the Attrition Program for the 27 Pre-Retirement Program. This program pays you $2,800.00 / Month. However, if you acquire your 28th year before you leave the plant, you will be paid at the 28-year rate, which is $2,850.00.
Phone number for IMPACT: 1-866-259-1077
IMPACT can assist you with stress management, retirement planning, job
assistance, career counseling, life coaching, and resume assistance. Counselors
are highly skilled and eager to help.
Remember to bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and marriage
certificate when signing up.
The questions we could ask about the Special Attrition Program are almost endless. With the questions and answers above and those on the “Rumor Roundup” we have attempted to give you useful information. If you are thinking of signing up, please take your time and definitely talk with the Benefits Reps.
The answers are correct to the best
of our knowledge, but there may be inaccuracies we are unaware of. The actual
signed Memorandum as interpreted by the UAW,