Improvements in Supplemental Unemployment Benefits

SUB calculation

(See the SUB contract language, page 11) 

The complexity of the SUB formula has confused our membership since its inception.

Previously, SUB calculation varied from employee to employee, however, the union secured language that benefi ts employees by calculating average SUB benefi ts on a flat rate. The formula of 95 percent of take-home pay minus $30 equals on average 74 percent of a worker’s gross weekly pay. As a result of these negotiations, the following chart details exactly what the weekly SUB pay rate is for each employee. (See example below.)

Time limits removed for SUB

Time limits for filing an application for SUB benefi ts where the actual state system benefit has been issued will now be removed. Our members will no longer be denied SUB for failing to apply on time if unemployment is paid.

Transfers

Your bargaining team expressed concerns for eligible regular employees that have been denied their initial Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefit after being transferred to a new state location. The parties agreed that denying a SUB benefit under these circumstances is contrary to the intent of the plan. As a result, the union secured language that protects these workers and provides full SUB pay for a week if the employee is otherwise eligible to receive the benefit. This eliminates employees from being unjustly denied a week’s pay during a crucial time of relocation.

Severe weather condition problem significantly improved

Under the proposed agreement, overtime penalties in relation to time off due to snow days and/or severe weather have been removed in the calculation of SUB benefi ts regardless of when the work was offered or performed. When severe weather conditions have been approved, overtime provisions will no longer disqualify our members from a full 40-hour automatic short workweek benefit.

Job Security/SUB Duration

Job Security/SUB duration was a major battle in negotiations. Management took a hard line position and resisted replenishing the weeks of SUB. The UAW remained steadfast in fighting to get these benefits restored and was successful in winning SUB replenishment. Any employee who used SUB credits during the life of the 2009 contract modifications will have SUB credits replenished.