Opinion ID: 202612
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Company's Interpretation of the CBA with the BMDA

Text: 61 The CBA between the Company and the BMDA provides that the Plan shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, providing, however, that changes thereto may be made as provided in Article I of the [P]lan. The Unions concede that the CBA arguably incorporates the Plan documents. Article I of the Plan permits certain modifications to the Plan for tax purposes. Article XII of the Plan states that [s]ubject to the applicable provisions of any collective bargaining agreement, the Company shall have the right to amend, modify, or suspend the Plan. 62 The Unions argue that the phrase remain in full force and effect requires that the Company maintain the status quo and make no changes. Not so. There is a sound arguable basis for the Company's determination that the agreement gives it the power to amend the Plan and requires bargaining only when it seeks to change the benefit structure or the level of benefits conferred, neither of which occurred here. 63