Why the calculator can't cover more than it does:

We originally planned on doing a calculator that included more of the impacts of the contract, however, it was not possible to do that in the end. We continued to try and work out a more sophisticated model but ended up needing to confine the actual calculator to on-base salary increases everyone is guaranteed and the value of two days’ lost pay from the Deficit Reduction extraction. We have provided complete information in the contract mailing that will allow each member to use the calculator in conjunction with the need to determine exactly what the impact of the health insurance increases, Deficit Reduction "lag" of 7 days, and other possible on-base and not-on-base salary impacts will be on an individual basis. We have provided all of the information members need to do this.

Here’s why a more complicated calculator was not possible in the end:

There are five scenarios for health insurance: no Empire Plan (costs for HMOs will vary considerably), Empire Individual Plan for two income brackets, and Empire Family Plan for two income brackets. There are many salary scenarios for part time members who will receive a pro-rated salary increase for the $500, $250, $500 on base increases. Many members will be able to use the Productivity Enhancement Program to trade vacation days to offset health insurance premium share costs. Thousands of members will get an on-base $500 Service Award in one of the three remaining years of the contract period (the impact will vary depending on the year in which one is received). There is no way to predict who will receive a Discretionary Salary Award, clearly identified as a not-on-base award in multiple places in our documents. Members need to consider the mix of on-base impacts and impacts that will not affect their base salaries but will affect their "paychecks."

Another problem for a more sophisticated calculator is that the start of the health insurance premium share increase and the Deficit Reduction extraction do not neatly correspond with a "year" of annual salary. The premium share increase starts in September, 2013. The Deficit Reduction extraction will run from September through June in each of two years. It’s a percentage extraction, so exactly what it is in year two for any individual will be affected by whether they receive an additional on-base salary increase. Thousands of full-time members will get a $500 on-base Service Award during the contract period, many in year 1 or year 2, which could affect the Deficit Reduction extraction.

Once we obtained all relevant information about each monetary item in the contract, we realized that a calculator to suit all would be impossible. It's use would also be limited for those with an HMO health insurance plan. Members in those plans will see increases in costs, but those costs will vary by HMO.

After much deliberation and consultation with people experienced in developing calculators, we came to the conclusion that the best way to handle this was to provide a calculator that covered the two commonalities for all members: on-base salary increases everyone will receive and the value of two days of lost pay. Complete information about all other elements to be considered is provided in the contract documents mailed to every member’s homes. There is no need for speculation. Every member can determine exactly what this Tentative Agreement means for them. If anyone needs additional assistance or clarification, we will continue to address specific questions via e-mail and phone calls.

Stay informed

As negotiations proceed, UUP members will be kept informed through regular website postings, mailings from President Phil Smith, and articles in The Voice. Periodic updates and other information will be sent to chapter presidents for distribution via chapter websites, newsletters, fliers, and meetings.

Members are encouraged to periodically check the UUP website (www.uupinfo.org) for postings at the "Contract Negotiations" link on the home page. Feel free to contact UUP Chief Negotiator Jamie Dangler at contract@uupmail.org for further information or to submit questions or comments.