Service Bonus Should Not Affect Unemployment Benefits

The Local has been informed that IDES is contesting some O&T members’ unemployment benefits as a result of the Service Bonus Plan payment. Members should make IDES aware that the Service Bonus is an accrued contractually negotiated benefit – not wages – and as such should not affect unemployment benefits. The fact that the bonus is being paid out at the time some members are on lay off status should have no impact on such status or benefits provided by IDES.

Unemployment Benefits Ending?

Members should be aware that if they exhaust their unemployment benefits they may still be entitled to SUB pay. SUB should continue and increase to the applicable percentage member is eligible for depending on period of weeks drawn since there is no longer an offset of unemployment to deduct from SUB benefits. See table below for duration of weeks/percentages:

Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Percentage

	Duration of Benefits, in Weeks
Continuous Service	1 to 26	27 to 52	53 to 104
3 but less than 10	60%	40%	0%
10 but less than 20	70%	50%	25%
20 and over	80%	60%	40%

SUB Benefits at Re-Certification

If members did not receive their full SUB benefit percentage for the week of re-certification (waiting week) they should contact their griever to see that they are made whole.

Tea and Crumpets, Fine China and Bon-Bons for coffee break at Granite City Steel Cafeteria Circa 1945 Can't Even Get a Vending Machine With Crummy Sandwiches in 2009.

Circa 1968 Parade Float on Madison Ave. Granite City