Opinion ID: 27209
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”)

Text: The MOA, which was signed by the Company and the Unions, became effective on August 16, 1992 for an initial term of three years. As the bargained-for agreement between those parties, the MOA is a collective bargaining agreement, or, in the vernacular, a CBA. The MOA covers a wide but non-exhaustive range of topics pertinent to the terms and conditions of employment of those employees who belong to the Unions (including, for example, Seniority, Promotion, Layoff, and Discharge; Vacations, Leave of Absence, and Sick Leave; and provisions addressing Grievances and Arbitrations). The MOA does not address traditional employee benefits, such as pension plans, life insurance, or medical insurance, at all. Following its initial three-year term, the MOA is automatically renewed for one-year extension terms from one August 16 to the next, unless either party notifies the other in writing of non-renewal, at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the then-current term of the agreement. When, in 1995, the Company announced prospective changes in life and medical insurance benefits for some of its future retirees, the MOA was still in its 3 initial three-year term.