FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15, 2002
West Pilots Begin Fund to Pay Furloughed Pilots’ COBRA Premiums
PHOENIX – The pilots of America West Airlines,
represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), this
month will begin assessing members to assist furloughed pilots in paying premiums
to continue health insurance coverage under COBRA.
The ALPA-represented America West pilots authorized
the America West Pilots’ Family Assistance Fund by a vote conducted in December.
Pilots who are on active duty will make monthly payments to the fund that
will then reimburse furloughed pilots for their COBRA premiums.
“Our members should be commended for coming
through during this downturn and helping their fellow pilots caught in the
furlough,” said Eric Edwards, vice chairman of the America West ALPA
unit. “While we prefer to see these 179 pilots back flying with us, this
assistance will help our furloughed pilots meet a financial burden to maintain
health insurance coverage until they join us back on the flight line.”
Furloughed pilots will be eligible for reimbursement
following the cessation on Feb. 15 of their company-paid insurance benefits.
The monthly COBRA premium for a pilot and family can exceed $900 per month
in some cases, which is hardly covered by current Arizona unemployment benefits
of $205 per week, one of the lowest benefit levels in the country.
The fund will remain active for a maximum of
12 months or until all 179 furloughed pilots are called back to work, whichever
occurs first.
Including the 1,800 America West pilots, ALPA
represents 66,000 members at 47 airlines in the United States and Canada.
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ALPA Contact: Scott Sherrin, (602) 306-4100