July 18, 2014
Underground Organization – Voluntary Separation Program
Due to the continued challenges with business volumes for 2014 and 2015 for Underground products, there is a need to implement a number of additional cost reduction initiatives. As part of our continuing cost reduction efforts, it is clear there is a need to reduce employment costs and, as a result, we are offering a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) to full-time salaried employees who are currently working in U. S. Underground Engineering (excluding plant and manufacturing engineering as well as Conveying engineering) and U. S. Underground Operations in the following locations – Franklin, Pennsylvania, Winfield, Alabama, and Salyersville, Kentucky.
Voluntary Separation Program
Details of this program are as follows:
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Full time salaried employees may apply for a voluntary reduction in force separation benefit using the prescribed form available from their local Human Resource Representative.
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The company retains the right to approve or decline applications based on business requirements. Approvals for eligibility will be made at the Director level only.
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A separation benefit will be paid to employees whose applications are approved and who have signed the Settlement, Waiver and Release Agreement.
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Separation benefits will be paid on a bi-weekly basis at the rate of one week’s base pay for each full year of completed service from last hire date.
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Employees will also be eligible to pay for health insurance benefits at the same rate as if they were active employees for the first three months of COBRA benefit eligibility.
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Severance pay and service does not count toward pensionable earnings, benefit service or vesting service.
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Application forms have to be completed and returned to HR by no later than 4:00 PM EST on Friday, August 1, 2014.
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Employees will be advised of the company’s decision regarding their applications by Monday, August 11, 2014.
Please direct any questions you may have to your local HR Representative.