If you have not received your latest “A14” check it is coming. For those who do not know United Airlines has started this new program.
A :14 Cash Incentive Program
“Eligible represented employees will receive a monthly payout of $100 if we achieve a first-place DOT ranking in A :14 performance. If we achieve a second-place DOT slot or our stated A :14 goal for the month, a $65 payout will be made. When we are successful in reaching our on-time goals for the month, employees will share in the rewards.”
I received mine today and was surprised, we are still making goal but not the DOT first place ranking. So I got a whole $65. After looking at it I was remembering of a SEC filing that United made on March 20th, 2009 I was really surprised.
I got $65 and paid 16% in federal tax. But in the SEC filing United submitted and I quote “The Company expects an effective tax rate of 0% for the first quarter of 2009.” It appears that if you loose money on fuel hedging the company can write that loses off. But wait, gas has gone up for me and you in the last quarter and I am paying more to get back and forth to work. Why can’t I write that off?
On a local front Charles Wyant stop by the office. He is working midnight shift in SFO but is staying on the ten hour shift. He said he found a place to stay but it is costing him $800 for a room. Yes a room not an apartment but just a room! So much for making a middle class pay and a livable wage.
GQ/PV
Still no news on the bids for GQ and PV, rumor has it that there was three companies that bid on Seattle. But our Teamsters committee has not had a chance to look at the bids or scrutinize them. As you are aware Phil Stewart is our point man and as soon as something comes out we will know. He and his team are well prepared to counter and “funny business” the Company might throw at them.
Last week during the Contract Steering Committee meetings in San Bruno, Ca we were given a presentation on a “Short Term disability Program” if you are interested in the details stop by the office and I have the handout. Basically it's an insurance that would pay out if you are sick or have an off-job accident.
David will be off to Washington DC for a TAMC meeting and training classes this week and Jim Brokaw will be off to a Human Factors training to represent us on the Flight Safety Committee at Love field next week. I hope to get a report as soon as I can from them and I will post it here. So stay tuned…
Lastly there are a lot of rumors and no sold answers so don’t buy into them get the fact.
Jock
