Supernova,
How did the meeting go? Any surprises? Been in shoes similar to yours and it's no fun. Good luck.
The meeting went pretty well and was in a webcast format out of Chicago. The VP of HR, our CIO, and the Operations director were present.
The first hour was an update of progress made thus far for the "Future if IT". More information on centers of excellence and some rough estimates on number of those new centers in STL and SC.
It looks like a small % of those spots in STL and SC will be filled with relocations from So Cal and Puget Sound (Seattle). So without saying it, the rest of the statement of work will be filled by hiring locally. I"m guessing level 1's and 2's from the local colleges given cost reduction is one of the main goals here.
It was made very clear that the Voluntary Layoff Pkg (VLO) would be a one time deal.
If you want to be considered you need to submit your name by 5/31 but there is no guarantee you'll be accepted of course. The one drawback of VLO is no recall rights vs. being laid of the involuntary method.
What is not clear yet is for those selected for relo (who don't take the VLO) how your benefits will or will not transfer to the new location or if there would be a pay cut. You could be offered a job at a lower level than you have in Seattle or So Cal. Also the pay scales in those in STL and SC or lower within the same level.
They will hold separate sessions to share the benefit impact for your particular plan (Heritage Seattle, Heritage So Cal, etc.).
I may have pointed out that another poster (Thanks! "going-early") shared with me that if you are laid off and within 6 years of 55 the pension penalty is much less so since I call into that camp at 52 yrs old, that was good to know! I don't recall what is special about the "within 6 years of 55" but I'll take it
I'm trying not to take it personally but it does sort of feel like I"m on mile 24 of a marathon and someone is telling me I may have to pull of the course before I get to mile 26.2. I'll keep that faith...