Benefits

The Family and Medical Leave Act and National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008

On January 28, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 4986, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 (NDAA), Pub. L. 110-181. Among other things, section 585 of the NDAA amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to permit a "spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin" to take up to 26 workweeks of leave to care for a "member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in outpatient status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury or illness..."

NW Pension Plan Questions

During the past several months as I have been accompanying the IAM National Pension Fund representatives on station visits for the IAM NPF roll-out, I have encountered several questions regarding the frozen NW pension plan.

One of the major questions asked was, "How do I find out how much my benefit is in the frozen NW pension plan?" That answer is easily accessible in RADAR. Members can view current accruals by signing into RADAR. Go to Pay and Benefits, click on Pension Plans, then Contract Employees and then Current Pension Benefit. Current accruals will be listed as well as when members can start collecting monthly pension benefits, the amount and how many years of vesting and benefit service accrued. If members are interested in information regarding survivor benefits, simply click on Survivor Payment Options.

Please remember that when choosing to retire, members need to contact both NWA Benefits at 1-800-NWA-PENS or 612-727-7367 for NW pension and the IAM National Pension Fund at 1-800-424-9608 for IAM pension. Separate paperwork is required for each in order to collect on both pensions. -- Co-Director/Benefits Patty Bledsoe

District 143 Benefits

District 143 is pleased to announce the addition of Patty Bledsoe as Co-Director of Benefits effective immediately. District 143 recognizes that it is difficult for one individual to adequately represent our nearly 16,000 members on all properties; therefore the decision to expand the role of Director of Benefits was an easy one to make.

“Sister Bledsoe has been an asset to this organization and I have no doubt that she will be an asset to any member needing assistance with their benefits. District 143 is honored to have Sister Bledsoe as co-director of Benefits,” stated PDGC Stephen Gordon. Both Brother Parraghi and Sister Bledsoe will co-direct all benefit matters.

Sister Bledsoe is a member of, and currently serves as Local Lodge 1833 (MSP) educator, as well as a member of the Building C grievance committee in MSP. Please join District 143 in welcoming Patty to her new position.