IUE-CWA Updated 2019 - 2023 Tentative Agreement Newsletter 8.6.19 - FINAL
IUE-CWA Updated 2019-2023 Tentative Agreement Newsletter 8.6.19-FINAL Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
Updated 2019 - 2023 Tentative Agreement
Enhancements include increased wages and lower increases to health care contributions
On August 5, GE and the IUE-CWA reached a tentative agreement on a revised four-year labor agreement. We are pleased that the IUE-CWA leadership has unanimously endorsed the revised agreement and recommends ratification by its members on a vote by Tuesday, August 13.
The revised tentative agreement includes requested adjustments to an already highly competitive wage and benefits package that is indisputably among the very best in the industry.
We thank the IUE-CWA leadership for its endorsement of the contract, and we encourage all IUECWA members to ratify it.
Enhancements to previous offer
This is a complete list of enhancements and changes to the previous offer that was detailed in the June Focus newsletter.
Wages
Total additional cash compensation increased; Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) and General Wage Increase added
Higher additional cash compensation: $14,143; $2.80 per hour total wage growth.
· A Ratification Bonus of $1,500 will be payable to union employees if the agreement is ratified by August 15, 2019(3)
· Four fixed COLAs: $0.80 per hour total · Four general wage increases: $2.00 per hour total · Two accelerated cash payments: $2,000 total
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019 Compensation Summary
Effective Date
GWIs
COLAs
(1) (2)
ACPs
January 27, 2020
$0.75 per hour
June 29, 2020
$0.20 per hour
January 25, 2021
$0.30 per hour
$1,000
June 28, 2021
$0.20 per hour
January 24, 2022
$0.20 per hour
$1,000
June 27, 2022
$0.20 per hour
January 23, 2023
$0.75 per hour
April 24, 2023
$0.20 per hour
Totals
$2.00 per hour
$0.80 per hour
$2,000
(1)
Accelerated Cash Payments will be paid to eligible employees as soon as practicable after Effective Dates.
(2)
Eligible employees are those on active payroll on the respective dates above; other employees returning to work after such dates may be eligible under certain conditions.
(3)
Ratification Bonus will be paid to eligible employees on or before September 1, 2019, if the contract is ratified by August 15, 2019. Eligible employees are those on active payroll, temporary lack of work layoff, or Company approved leave of absence on June 24, 2019.
Health care
Lower increases to contribution amounts
Lower increases to contribution amounts in 2021, 2022 and 2023. No contribution increase in 2020 remains.
Contribution increase %
Weekly increase for employee making $50,000 $74,999; Option 1; Family
2020 No increase
No increase
2021 4.9% (was 5.9%)
$4.26
2022 4.9% (was 5.9%)
$4.47
2023 4.9% (was 5.9%)
$4.69
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
2019 - 2023 Tentative Agreement in full
This is the complete 2019 Tentative Agreement; it includes the enhancements as well as the offerings presented in the June Focus newsletter.
Increased wages
Total additional cash compensation from contract: $14,143; $2.80 per hour total wage growth.
· A Ratification Bonus of $1,500 will be payable to union employees if the agreement is ratified by August 15, 2019
· Four fixed COLAs: $0.80 per hour total · Four general wage increases: $2.00 per hour total · Two Accelerated Cash Payments: $2,000 total
o The ACPs count as pay and are eligible for both pension credits and Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) contributions.
o For those in the GE Pension Plan, the ACPs boost annual lifetime benefits paid at retirement under both the Guaranteed Pension table and Regular Pension formula.
Compensation Summary
Effective Date(2)
Form of Payment
Amount
June 24, 2019**
Ratification bonus(3)
$1,500
January 27, 2020
General wage increase
$0.75 per hour
June 29, 2020
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) $0.20 per hour
January 25, 2021
Accelerated Cash Payment(1) General wage increase
$1,000 $0.30 per hour
June 28, 2021
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) $0.20 per hour
January 24, 2022
Accelerated Cash Payment(1)
$1,000
General wage increase
$0.20 per hour
June 27, 2022
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) $0.20 per hour
January 23, 2023
General wage increase
$0.75 per hour
April 24, 2023
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) $0.20 per hour
(1)
Accelerated Cash Payments will be paid to eligible employees as soon as practicable after Effective Dates.
(2)
Eligible employees are those on active payroll on the respective dates above; other employees returning to work after such dates may be eligible under certain conditions.
(3)
Ratification Bonus will be paid to eligible employees on or before September 1, 2019 if the contract is ratified by August 15, 2019. Eligible employees are those on active payroll, temporary lack of work layoff, or Company approved leave of absence on June 24, 2019.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
Overtime
· Employees will still qualify for most existing overtime premiums.
· Only two overtime rules are changing:
o Employees on First Shift who report prior to their regular starting time will be paid at the rate of time and one-half for hours worked up to the beginning of their regularly scheduled shift. This change makes the early call-in premium for First Shift employees consistent with the premium for Second and Third shift employees.
o Employees will continue to be paid at the rate of double time for working over 12 hours in a workday. The double time premium will not automatically continue into the employee's next workday.
· These overtime updates become effective January 6, 2020.
Health Care Benefits
No contribution increase in 2020; fair and reasonable increases for 2021-2023. Low- or no-cost select medications; enhanced coverage for chiropractic, obesity surgery and hearing aids; Maternity Care Select
GE Health Benefits medical contributions
· No medical contribution increase in 2020... same amounts by option, pay and coverage. 4.9% per year increase in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
· No increases to your Out-of-Pocket Maximum. · Modest update to the Annual Deductible.
Enhancements and changes to pharmacy coverage
· 100% coverage
o Certain generic blood pressure medications o 10-day supply of certain generic antibiotics o Select drugs used to treat opioid addiction o Not subject to annual deductible for Options 1 and 2. Option 3 at 100% after annual
deductible is met.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
· Low-cost price structure for certain asthma medications
o Retail 30-day supply: $12 co-pay o Mail order up to 90-day supply: $24 co-pay o Not subject to annual deductible for Options 1 and 2. Option 3 at 100% after annual
deductible is met.
· Specialty drugs at $4 per day
Other health care improvements offer expanded coverage
· Increased chiropractic visits from 15 to 24 visits per calendar year (up to one visit per day).
· Changes to obesity surgery: 100% coverage for inpatient revisional bariatric surgery when medically necessary.
· Improved hearing aid benefit: hearing aids will now be covered every two years for up to
$3,000 per ear.
Maternity Care Select: an expanded benefit for new families
· Routine prenatal care, inpatient hospital stays and delivery through a Center of Excellence may be covered at 100% and not subject to the annual deductible for Options 1 and 2. Option 3 provides 100% coverage after the annual deductible. Employees must participate in GE Health Benefits, enroll early in their pregnancy and meet plan and clinical eligibility.
Maternity Care Select is currently available in these areas:
o Schenectady, New York Bellevue Woman's Center*
o Lynn, Massachusetts Beverly Hospital
o Cincinnati, Ohio Good Samaritan & Bethesda North
o Greenville, South Carolina St. Francis Eastside
o Waukesha, Wisconsin Waukesha Memorial & Oconomowoc Memorial
*Options 1, 2 and 3 must satisfy annual deductible -100% coverage after deductible is met.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
New dental and vision plan options, including preventive option at no cost to employees
To be eligible for dental or vision coverage, you must be enrolled in GE Health Benefits with matching coverage for you and your dependents.
Dental Preventive Care Option
Vision Preventive Care Option
o No contributions are required. o Annual maximum benefit amount for
select preventive services: clinical oral exams, preventive cleanings, x-rays. o Discounts for in-network covered preventive services once annual maximum is reached.
o No contributions are required. o Free exam: one per member, per year. o In-network discounts on lenses, frames,
coatings, tinting, contacts, laser surgery and additional exams (in excess of one per year).
Dental Premium Option
o Payroll contributions are required. o $50 annual deductible per person and a
$150 family maximum o Similar design and coverages as today -
preventive services still covered at 100% o 2020-2023 Monthly contributions (full
time):
1 Person $15.50
2 Persons $31.00
3 or more Persons $46.00
Vision Premium Option
o Payroll contributions are required. o $200 annual allowance per person for
frames and lenses. o Network expanded to include Warby
Parker online and in stores. o 100% coverage in-network for annual
exam. o 2020-2023 Monthly contributions (full
time):
1 Person $9.00
2 Persons $18.25
3 or more Persons $27.75
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Retirement
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
GE Pension Plan
· Guaranteed Pension improved at all levels by $1 per year of Pension Benefit Service (PBS). The top benefit will also increase to $89 per year of PBS for those with final average pay of at least $89,000, effective July 1, 2019.
· Regular Pension update on November 1, 2019: qualifying long-service union employees receive one-time average increase of $5,207 per year (15.1%), based on PBS and three highest consecutive years of pay from 2013 2018.
· Improved Regular Pension formula keeps more pay at the high end of the formula (breakpoint set at $60,000 for term of contract) starting January 1, 2020.
· Regular early retirement supplement increased to $23 per month, per year of PBS. Special Supplement renewed at $375 per month for retirements on or before July 1, 2023. Extended payment period (to 80% Social Security age) renewed for retirements on or after August 1, 2019 and on or before July 1, 2023.
GE Retirement Savings Plan (RSP)
Two Extra ACRCs: $300 in 2020 and 2022
Extra $300 in Additional Company Retirement Contributions (ACRC) in January 2020 and January 2022 along with the annual $600 ACRC. Starting January 2020, the eligibility date to receive an ACRC changes from December 31 to December 15 of the prior year.
2020
$600 + $300 = $900
2021
$600
2022
$600 + $300 = $900
2023
$600
· Small cash-outs at $1,000: Vested participants who leave GE will automatically receive a distribution of their full account balance if it is $1,000 or less.
· If a withdrawal or loan check is requested to be sent overnight, the employee will pay the overnight fees. As an alternative, the employee can set up electronic funds transfer (EFT) at any time either online by visiting OneHR.ge.com>Retirement>My GE RSP, or by calling the GE RSP Service Center at 1-877-55GERSP (1-877-554-3777).
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
Job and Income Security
Renewed SERO, SERO 30, PCPO & SSBO (expires June 30, 2023)
· Special Early Retirement Option (SERO) protects eligible employees age 55-59 with at least 25 years of Pension Qualification Service (PQS) affected by a permanent job-loss event.
· SERO 30 protects eligible employees under age 55 with at least 30 years of PQS who are directly impacted by a permanent job-loss event that results in a layoff or a pay rate reduction of 18% or more in a 12-month period.
· Plant Closing Pension Option (PCPO) protects eligible employees affected by plant closings, including those under age 50 with at least 30 years of PQS.
· Employees eligible for PCPO and direct impact SERO and SERO 30 receive: o Unreduced pension with applicable improvements o A Regular Supplement that continues until the employee is eligible to collect Social Security at the 80% level, at the rate of $23 per month per year of Pension Benefit Service (PBS) o A Special Supplement at $375 per month, again continuing until the employee's 80% Social Security age o Other benefits available to similarly situated retirees, including company-subsidized pre-65 retiree health coverage
· Special Supplement Benefit Option renewed (SSBO) at $375 per month for employees under the age of 60 with at least 25 years of PQS and who are directly impacted by a permanent job-loss event on or after July 1, 2019 and on or before June 30, 2023.
Education & retraining
· Increase in education and retraining reimbursement from $12,500 to $13,500 for employees affected by plant closings.
· Increase in education and retraining reimbursement from $6,000 to $10,000 for employees who have been laid off.
Other transitional support
· Increase Special Retirement Bonus from $18,000 to $20,000.
· Increase Special Voluntary Layoff Bonus from $18,000 to $20,000.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
Preferential Placement
· Increase employee relocation assistance from $4,500 to $5,500 for employees without dependents and from $9,000 to $10,000 for employees with dependents.
· Increase interview expense reimbursement from $300 to $350. · Candidates with 20 or more years of continuous service applying an for entry-level position
shall be provisionally placed for up to three months. · Advanced Termination request Employees impacted by a plant closing who ask for their
termination date to be advanced to accept other employment will not be unreasonably denied. · Candidates placed into competitive or market-based wage positions retain a one-time right to accept recall back to former location for duration of recall rights.
Income Extension Aid (IEA) and Plant Closing Severance Pay (PCSP)
· An employee who is rehired within 12 months of being laid off or 6 months of a plant closing can restore his or her service credits by repaying IEA or PCSP at a prorated rate.
Time off
· Enhanced pay for military service: Up to 30 regularly scheduled work days at full pay for annual encampment training duty or temporary emergency duty during a calendar year.
· Immediate eligibility for holiday pay upon hire. · Two paid days off for a colonoscopy.
Work and Family
Paid Parental leave
· Up to three weeks of paid leave for new parents for use within 12 months of the birth or placement for adoption of a child or children occurring on or after January 1, 2020.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
GE Educational Loan Program changes
· Maximum of one new loan (lifetime), maximum dollar limit remains $8,000 for employees and their dependents and it must be repaid within eight years.
· Eligibility for a new loan will end for employees once notified of a disposition, permanent reduction in force or a plant closing announced on or after January 1, 2020.
Life Insurance Benefits
Life Insurance
· The living benefit for GE Life Insurance increases to 80% of the employee's life insurance benefit, up to a maximum of $500,000 (was 50% and up to a maximum of $250,000).
· The GE Life Insurance advance lump sum payment doubled to $10,000.
· Life insurance benefit changed from 2.5 times an employee's pay to 2.0 times an employee's
pay, and the benefit, combined with Accidental Death or Dismemberment (ADD), will not exceed $5 million.
Enhanced Survivor Support
· Free access to financial counseling for survivors increased from six to 12 months for new claims.
Enhanced Personal Accident Insurance Coverage
· Additional covered conditions are available including coma and brain damage
Disability
Short-Term Disability Insurance
· Maximum weekly benefits increases by $50 to $950 · Minimum weekly benefits increases by $25 to $400
· The one-half reduction in benefit payment has been removed for claims filed more than seven business days after the claim occurs.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
Long-Term Disability Income Plan
· The monthly minimum benefit amount increases by $50 to $400
Appeals
· Denied claims may be appealed up to two times for both short-term and long-term disability plans (was three).
Emergency Aid
Disaster Relief Grants
· Emergency Aid (EMAID) grants of up to $3,750 per household for damage due to earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane or tornado in disaster areas designated by federal, state or local authorities.
Personal Emergency Grants
· Personal emergency grants are no longer available.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
Updated Tentative Agreement August 6, 2019
Additional updates
Return to former classification
· Employees transferred to jobs outside of a bargaining unit may return to their former
classification in the bargaining unit during the 3-month period following the first transfer to a job outside of the bargaining unit.
Service Shop Updates
· Job preservation meetings increased from annually to quarterly for shops with less than 25 employees.
· Travel allowances will be negotiated locally. · If working for three or more consecutive weeks, employees may take one day off
without pay, and the day is taken within six months of the date is was accrued. · Maximums for shoe and tool allowances remain unchanged ($250 and $350
respectively), and unused allowances do not rollover.
2019/8-IUE-CWA
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All changes effective January 1, 2020 except where specifically noted.
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