November 8, 2004 

To:       Title I and V Line Maintenance employees

Re:      Stand in Stead

In order to maintain our position in today’s competitive market, a further Reduction in Force was planned for 2005 in Line Maintenance.  In the interest of mitigating involuntary furloughs, it has been decided to encompass all Line stations in the offering of a “Stand in Stead” option.  This will give all employees within Line Maintenance an opportunity to mitigate a possible layoff by accepting Stand in Stead.

The Stand in Stead is already available to any TWU represented employees covered by the Mechanic and related, Fleet Service, Stock Clerk, and Tech Specialist agreements. 

In consideration of the possible need to reduce employees in M&E within the Line station operation early next year, we are specifically encouraging all Title I AMT’s and other classifications along with those employees in the Stock Clerk classifications within Line Maintenance to take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for Stand in Stead, if interested.  Employees opting to take the Stand in Stead will receive regular severance in accordance with Article 37 of the AA/TWU agreement, except for the additional two (2) weeks under Article 37(f). Since these eligible employees would normally not have an opportunity for severance, the employee will sever from the Company without recall rights.  For those system or station protected employees who are awarded the Stand-in-Stead, the $12,500 special severance payment is not applicable.  In order that you may make an informed decision regarding your interest in Stand in Stead program, Q&A’s have been posted on Jetnet, under Voluntary Programs in the People Reduction information section.

To determine if the interest levels at certain locations may drive a need to move Line Maintenance work, we will pull the list at the closing of the Stand in Stead period as indicated below.  We will then determine, based on the interest level as of that date, the number of employees and the locations that will be granted the Stand in Stead.

From the Jetnet home page, click on the "Policies and Procedures " tab, and then select "People Reduction Information" from the left side menu.  Next, click "Voluntary Programs Information" and look for "Stand in Stead: Who's Offering."  Locate your work group and navigate to the "Online Election Form."

All Line station Title I and V employees interested must have their requests in by 10:00 AM CST on November 22, 2004.

The anticipated effective date for those who elect the Stand in Stead option will be January 31, 2004.

If you have any questions in regards to the Stand in Stead program, please contact Employee Services at 1-800-447-2900.

Sincerely,

Original Signed
 

Danny Martinez

Vice President

Line Maintenance