US: Airlines begin complex process of calling back more than 32,000 furloughed workers
US airlines have begun the complicated process of calling back 32,000 workers they furloughed this fall, a condition struggling carriers need to comply with to receive $15b in additional federal payroll support. The aid also requires airlines to agree to keep employees on the payroll through the end of March and restore certain routes. The process is underway though President Donald Trump hasn’t yet signed the coronavirus relief bill. Bringing back more than 32,000 furloughed workers, including flight attendants, pilots and mechanics, requires restoration of security clearances and ensuring that returning workers are up to date on federally mandated training. Airlines will also have to untangle some furlough mitigation programs, such as no guaranteed pay, that were offered in exchange for maintaining medical benefits. The bill calls for airlines to provide backpay starting Dec. 1, prohibits dividend payments and caps compensation. The aviation job cuts, mostly at American and United, began this fall after the terms of the last package, $25b in grants and loans, ran out Sept. 30. Delta and Southwest employees escaped furloughs this year after tens of thousands of workers took buyouts, early retirement packages and temporary leave. Southwest earlier this month, however, warned close to 7,000 employees that they could be furloughed in March or April unless unions agree to pay cuts and other concessions, and Delta asked for more volunteers to take unpaid time off to help further lower costs. The aid will override at least briefly an agreement with the airline’s pilots for pay cuts in exchange for avoiding furloughs. “We have taken steps to expedite payments to all furloughed team members,” American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said in staff memo on Tuesday, adding that funds should show up in their accounts on Thursday. “Luckily, the concrete hadn’t set yet,” said Dennis Tajer, a Boeing 737 captain and spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American’s 15,000 pilots. Employees will be brought back on the job in phases.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2020-12-24/general/us-airlines-begin-complex-process-of-calling-back-more-than-32-000-furloughed-workers
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US: Airlines begin complex process of calling back more than 32,000 furloughed workers
US airlines have begun the complicated process of calling back 32,000 workers they furloughed this fall, a condition struggling carriers need to comply with to receive $15b in additional federal payroll support. The aid also requires airlines to agree to keep employees on the payroll through the end of March and restore certain routes. The process is underway though President Donald Trump hasn’t yet signed the coronavirus relief bill. Bringing back more than 32,000 furloughed workers, including flight attendants, pilots and mechanics, requires restoration of security clearances and ensuring that returning workers are up to date on federally mandated training. Airlines will also have to untangle some furlough mitigation programs, such as no guaranteed pay, that were offered in exchange for maintaining medical benefits. The bill calls for airlines to provide backpay starting Dec. 1, prohibits dividend payments and caps compensation. The aviation job cuts, mostly at American and United, began this fall after the terms of the last package, $25b in grants and loans, ran out Sept. 30. Delta and Southwest employees escaped furloughs this year after tens of thousands of workers took buyouts, early retirement packages and temporary leave. Southwest earlier this month, however, warned close to 7,000 employees that they could be furloughed in March or April unless unions agree to pay cuts and other concessions, and Delta asked for more volunteers to take unpaid time off to help further lower costs. The aid will override at least briefly an agreement with the airline’s pilots for pay cuts in exchange for avoiding furloughs. “We have taken steps to expedite payments to all furloughed team members,” American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said in staff memo on Tuesday, adding that funds should show up in their accounts on Thursday. “Luckily, the concrete hadn’t set yet,” said Dennis Tajer, a Boeing 737 captain and spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American’s 15,000 pilots. Employees will be brought back on the job in phases.<br/>
