Emergency Operations Plan
General Policy
Statement
One of the key differences between ABX and other companies is the "can do" attitude of ABX employees. At Wilmington (ILN) or outbase locations, we can be faced with severe weather winter weather, natural disasters (flood, tornadoes, earthquake) or other emergency situations; yet our customers continue to rely on us for delivering uninterrupted, high quality service. In these types of situations, ABX management will evaluate the impact the inclement weather is having on the operation, and implement emergency operations plans that will enable ABX to operate as safely and efficiently as possible.
Core Requirements
 | ABX Air will maintain operations whenever possible to meet our customers’ service commitments. |
| During emergency operations, all employees are expected to make every reasonable effort to be here. All employees, physically able to, may be requested to work in the sort to help move the freight. |
| Non-exempt and hourly employees who work additional time or report during emergency conditions will receive emergency pay premiums as outlined in this policy. |
| Occurrences of absence or tardiness, not addressed in this policy, will be determined in light of the circumstance along with the employee’s overall record. |
Employee Responsibility
| Great customer service is everyone’s responsibility. Make that extra effort to be at work when the weather is bad or other undesirable conditions occur. Come appropriately dressed and prepared to work wherever needed. |
| Check the weather forecast early enough so that if poor weather is forecast, you can adjust your schedule and leave home early to allow for longer travel time. |
| Contact ABX (937) 382-5591 extension 66397 (6NEWS), or listen to announcements on local radio and TV stations regarding emergency operations or closure. |
| Notify your supervisor as soon as possible when you are unable to report to work or will report to work late due to emergency conditions. |
| Be aware of any additional emergency operations guidelines regarding your department, such as if you are considered a service-essential, operational employee. |
Leadership Responsibility
| Be familiar with the Emergency Operation Plans A, B, and C. |
| Communicate to employees any additional departmental guidelines your department has for operating during inclement weather or other emergency operations. Tell them if they are service-essential staff. |
| When an emergency plan has been initiated, immediately communicate the details to your employees, including date and times when such plans effect your employees. |
| Maintain current contact lists of all your employees to facilitate direct communication if necessary. |
| Follow pay and lost-time parameters for any ABX-declared emergency or closure. |
Service-Essential, Operational Staff
ABX will make every effort to continue operations and deliver the service our customers expect. In some instances, such as severe weather or other emergency conditions, management may determine that only operationally “Service Essential” employees need to report to work. Service essential employees who are vital to continuing operations under emergency conditions include Ground employees; Maintenance Control employees; Aircraft Maintenance Production and Line Technicians; System Control employees; Linehaul employees; Flight Operations personnel; De-Ice employees; and Air Park Services employees such as Snow Removal, Sort/Property/Equipment Maintenance and Line Service. Employees should check with their supervisors to determine if they are considered service-essential. Employees in positions that are not absolutely essential to continuing the operation would be excused from reporting to work, according to Plan C attendance guidelines. When this occurs, announcements would call for only service-essential employees to report to work for their affected shift(s).
Closure of Operations
If a severe weather emergency or a civil or natural disaster prevents continuation of normal or emergency operations, the President, or a Senior Vice President may declare closure of a hub or station. The duration of the closure may be a few hours or longer, depending on the nature of the emergency and the company’s ability to operate.
The executives will review closure status on an hourly basis with the objective of reopening the facility as soon as possible.
In the event of closure, employees may be allowed to leave early and receive compensation at their regular rates for the rest of the regularly scheduled shift.
Compensation for hours not worked during closure is limited to employees who are regularly scheduled to work during the first day/shift of closure. Earned vacation, floaters, or attendance award days may be used to cover lost time after the first day/shift of closure.
Communication of ABX Emergency Operations or Closure
Regardless of announcements made by outside agencies, employees should presume ABX is operating on a normal schedule, unless one of the following emergency plans has been declared. If Emergency Operations Plan A, B, C or closure is declared by ABX, such information will be communicated in the following ways:
| ICOMS to management. |
| Announcements on local radio and TV stations (as posted at Communications Centers). |
| Regular updates on the ABX Newsline (937) 382-5591, extension 66397 (6NEWS). |
| Affected station personnel will be notified via pager as established by department operations management. |
| Regional hub management must establish contact procedures with local broadcast stations or otherwise determine how employees will be notified and appropriately advise employees of those procedures. |
Plan A, B, & C Guidelines
| Plan | Late | Absences | Lost Time | Emergency Pay Premium |
| A | All employees: Up to 2 hours = no occurrence. (ATS Code TXNE) More than 2 hours = tardy occurrence (ATS Code TXOE) |
Counted as occurrences (without pay). | Pay for time worked (cannot use earned paid time off or sick leave). | Pay will be at regular rate for hours worked. |
| B | All employees: Up to 2 hours = no occurrence. (ATS Code TXNE). More than 2 hours = tardy occurrence (ATS Code TXOE). |
Counted as occurrences. | Pay for time worked. For pay purposes only, lost time can be covered with earned paid time (vacation, floaters, attendance award days). Based on operational needs, management may authorize make up hours at straight- time rates. | Emergency pay is an additional
1/2 x regular rate of pay. (Pay rate cannot exceed 2 1/2 x). For example: Straight time = 1½ x. Overtime (OT) = 2 x. 7th day OT = 2 ½ x. |
| C | Late arrivals will not be counted as occurrences for any employees. Early departures may be permitted with manager approval (will not count as occurrences). | Absences will not count as occurrences. | Pay for time worked. Employees can cover lost time with earned paid time (vacation, floaters, or attendance award days). Based on operational needs, management may authorize make up hours at straight- time rates. | Emergency pay is an additional 1
x regular rate of pay. (Pay rate cannot exceed 2 1/2 x). For example: Straight time = 2 x. OT & 7th day = 2 1/2 x. |
Emergency pay premiums apply only to non-exempt and hourly employees, including casuals.
Emergency Incentive Day Option:
Employees who are working on overtime and receiving emergency pay premiums have the option of receiving an emergency incentive day in lieu of the additional pay for each full shift worked. Incentive days should be used by Dec. 31 of the year in which they are earned.
| Employees working at 2 x their rates of pay could opt to be paid at 1 x and receive an emergency incentive day for each full shift worked. |
| Employees working 2 ½ x their rate of pay could opt to be paid at 1 ½ x and receive an emergency incentive day for each full shift worked. |
Duration of Emergency Pay Premiums:
| If Plan B or C is in effect at an employee’s start time, the emergency pay premium will apply for his/her shift, even if the emergency is lifted during the shift. |
| If Plan B or C is called after an employee’s start time, the emergency pay premium will apply only for the remaining hours in the shift. The emergency premium would not apply to employees whose start times begin after the plan is lifted. |
The guidelines for late arrivals and absences are intended to apply for conditions in ILN or other hub or station locations. For employees who travel through other counties to report to work during inclement weather, supervisors should exercise good judgment in applying attendance guidelines under Plan A, B or C. Supervisors should consult with managers if they have questions or need further guidance in determining which attendance guidelines to apply.
Updated 10/26/05