UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS UPDATE #1
July 2020
“Good afternoon,
Making the decision to bid for ETO was one not taken lightly by our Flight Attendants; most acted out of “luv” and with a deep sense of commitment helping to stabilize our Company’s immediate financial position and secure our long-term future. As Southwest Airlines Unemployment Specialists, I am eager to engage in immediate and open discussion regarding recurring and mounting issues with Flight Attendants and their ability to secure unemployment benefits. I understand Southwest Airlines is experiencing an almost 1000% increase in claims filed by Southwest Airlines Employees and an unprecedented volume of cases pending nationwide. I also understand Southwest Airlines has worked with its third-party vendor Equifax in updating each state with an official document advising them not to dispute a Flight Attendants eligibility for benefits while being cognizant of the state agency (not SWA) making the final decision. It is recognized the Flight Attendant may appeal to the state on their final ruling. While I appreciate Equifax has been properly notified by SWA of their errors, a severe communication breakdown endures. We continue to direct our Member’s questions to Unemployment Claims–DG @wnco.com for further assistance and answers. I have been informed there had been a severe delay in Employees being responded to, but more people and additional resources were being trained and deployed to aid the already overburden and established Team.TWU Local 556 continues to be inundated with calls and emails describing the same situation of denial repeatedly. In addition, Flight Attendants are receiving letters mandating they reimburse the state of what has been paid to them after it granted their approval. We must assure our Flight Attendants have the tools and resources needed to achieve success in obtaining benefits. Our counterparts at other airlines crafted and made accessible documents in an open transparent fashion for each Employee to view and use in their claims and potential protest/denial. Is there an area on SWALife you can direct me to where the notices sent to Equifax can be located? If not how can they be obtained? In an attempt to assist our Flight Attendants I encourage your Team to draft a letter which will assist Employees in their claims/denials – one that might offer a clearer picture of our pay structure, the conversion of TFP to hourly, and a statement that may include something to the effect: “Our Flight Attendants and their participation in our ETO program are assisting Southwest Airlines’ battle of survival and helping secure our long term financial recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic and the continued grounding of the Boeing MAX family of aircraft have had a crippling effect on air travel. These two worldwide events have produced historic schedule reductions and service cuts at Southwest Airlines, resulting in good cause for our Employee to take a temporary leave. It is still undetermined how long this situation will last or if more drastic employment measures may be taken if air travel demand remains non-existent.”. Are there plans to swiftly compose documents to be universally shared and easily accessible on SWALife to complement initial claims and used during a potential protest? I implore you to once again examine the communication process between SWA and Equifax. We must do all we can, together, in guaranteeing the ETO program succeeds and our Flight Attendants receive the benefits they are entitled to. I am confident after receiving this email you will follow up with your contacts at Equifax having them reevaluate all denied claims to insure their compliance with the Company’s directive and audit Equifax’s reporting accuracy.
Thank you for your urgent help and cooperation. If needed, I am willing to answer any queries you may have. I look forward to your thoughts and collaboration. I have a duty to ensure my Members are treated equitably and accurately. I trust each of you are healthy and safe. “
For mor
e information on finding your congressional representatives, visit house.gov and senate.gov
Southwest Airlines’ rejection to include your Executive Board and Negotiating Committee in the negotiation of Leave Programs has severely diminished our ability to help. As a result, the company’s irresponsible and unilateral actions are leaving hundreds of your fellow Brothers and Sisters without supplementary income and the fear of financial ruin. The company’s mismanagement of unemployment claims and its lack of direct assistance to their employees is appalling.
I secured meetings with the states of Texas, Illinois, and Florida, and will engage as many other agencies on your behalf as possible. Our battle for you will NOT stop. Kay and I will deliver updates as we learn more. Remember, One Union, One Voice.
In Unity,