4 – 1 - 2020
OHAP PLANT STATUS
Our plant was originally expected to
return to work on 4/14/20. The current return to work date is yet to be
identified, but “estimated to be,” late April to early May.
Continue to use the RTW dates on the
Unemployment Bulletins for Unemployment claiming purposes.
VACATION SCHEDULE / 4 - 1 LETTER
The letter that the Company is required
to deliver to the Union regarding our Summer shutdown period… is being extended
to 5/1/20. This decision was made by the National Parties and they will be
speaking to it this week. We were informed initially that they were tentatively
looking at the weeks of 7/6/20 & 7/13/20 for OHAP. LUMP SUM TRANSITION BONUS FOR CONVERTING EMPLOYEES
It was initially reported out that the
Lump Sum Transition Bonus would be paid out on Friday, April 3, 2020. I
received an e- mail this morning stating that the payout is, “being held” by
the Company, due to a concern over Unemployment benefits being impacted. The
plan now is to pay the bonus out upon return to full production. We informed the
Company that it is unacceptable to hold this bonus and we are demanding the
payout be made immediately. I will keep you informed on the status as this
plays out this week.
GENERAL ELECTION POSTPONED
The Election Committee unanimously
voted to postpone the General Elections scheduled May 5th and 6th. Due to The
President's mandate and ambiguity of the return to work for OHAP and the other
Units, they feel more time is needed to secure alternative options. Updates to
follow.
HR HOURS OF OPERATION
HR will be operating remotely during
this downtime period. They will be monitoring voicemail calls at:
440-933-1208 or 440-933-1502
For Medical leave returns and if you
have not received a SUB payment within two weeks of an Unemployment payment, or
if you have exhausted your Unemployment benefits entirely.
Contact Labor Relations at:
jcarte53@ford.com
BENEFITS OFFICE HOURS
Hours for the Benefits office this week
Monday through Thursday from 6am to
4:30pm
440-933-1071
CONGRATS TO ALL THAT RETIRED
We would like to congratulate all of
those that retired under the recent incentive window. The biggest group is
retiring effective today. We wish you all many happy years of retirement! Well
deserved! CONGRATULATIONS!
All requests have been submitted to
release the 60,000.00 payout.
The Company expects Retirees will see
this payout within 3 to 4 weeks.
COVID-19
MASS LAYOFF INSTRUCTIONS
For Unemployment Filing Purposes:
Last day worked: April 3, 2020 or April
10, 2020
Return to work: April 14, 2020
(tentative return to work for purposes of unemployment only.)
All Ohio employees laid off due to the
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic should use the following mass-layoff number –
2000180 – when filing for benefits to speed the processing of unemployment
benefits.
ADDITIONAL WEEK DETAILS
Employees who worked either week ending
3/21/20 or 3/28/20… will NOT claim any Holidays in April. (4/10 & 4/13) You
will not receive holiday pay because you have been laid off beyond the
eligibility window. Continue to login each Sunday to claim your last
eligibility week.
Those employees who work week ending
4/4/20… will receive holiday pay for 4/10/20 and SSW so they will not need to
claim Unemployment for the week of 4/10/20. They will start their Unemployment
claim with instructions to be announced.
OHIO UNEMPLOYMENT & SUB PAY PROCESS
FOR FIRST TIME FILERS ONLY
Filing for unemployment benefits is a two-step process.
1.
Employees must file an application for benefits during the week of 4/3/2020
& 4/10/2020
2. Employees must claim the week of
unemployment beginning on the Sundays following the layoff week, 4/5/2020 &
4/12/20
It is imperative that you follow the
two-step process for unemployment when filing your claim. Failure to do so
(including late filing) may result in denial of unemployment benefits.
UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM AND COVID-19 BENEFITS
The ODJFS Unemployment portal was never
prepared to handle the magnitude of Unemployment claims currently coming
through their system. It has performed better than expected however.
Unemployment centers are staffed according to last year’s Unemployment rate.
They are adding employees to address the increased demand and extending hours
as well.
The COVID-19 relief bill generates
benefits beyond that of just Unemployment pay compensation. We are getting
questions around the additional benefits that are effective beginning this
claim cycle. (Ex. $600 per week on top of
what you would normally receive for up to four months and extending benefit
weeks, Family and child benefits) We will have additional info on how this will
play out.
We
are in discussions on how to blend those H-line Chassis employees that are on a
different mass layoff number, Into the COVID-19 mass layoff number now that
they are impacted as well. They will be eligible for all of the same benefits
when this is established.