EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN ALLTEL CORPORATION AND ALLTEL HOLDING CORP. DATED AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005
Exhibit
10.2
BY
AND
BETWEEN
ALLTEL
CORPORATION
AND
ALLTEL HOLDING CORP.
DATED
AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
1
DEFINITIONS
1.01.
|
1.02.
|
1.03.
|
1.04.
|
ARTICLE
2
EMPLOYEES AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES
2.08.
|
2.13.
|
ARTICLE
3
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLANS
ARTICLE
4
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLANS
ARTICLE
5
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS
ARTICLE
6
MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS
6.06.
|
ARTICLE
7
INCENTIVE PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
7.01.
|
7.02.
|
7.03.
|
7.04.
|
ARTICLE
8
EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
ARTICLE
9
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
9.02.
|
9.03.
|
9.05.
|
9.07.
|
(ii)
This
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),
dated
as of December 8, 2005, is by and between Alltel Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Alltel"),
and
Alltel Holding Corp., a newly formed Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Alltel ("Spinco").
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
Alltel, Spinco and Valor Communications Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the
"Company"),
have
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 8, 2005
(the
"Merger
Agreement"),
pursuant to which Spinco will merge with and into the Company, with the Company
continuing as the surviving corporation (the "Merger");
WHEREAS,
Alltel and Spinco have entered into a Distribution Agreement, dated as of
December 8, 2005 (the "Distribution
Agreement")
setting forth certain transactions that are conditions to consummation of the
Merger, including certain preliminary restructuring transactions whereby assets
and liabilities predominately relating to or arising from the operation of
Alltel's wireline communications business are transferred to Spinco or a Spinco
Subsidiary; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Alltel and Spinco have agreed to enter
into this Agreement allocating assets, liabilities, and responsibilities with
respect to certain employee benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs
between them.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants
contained in this Agreement, and for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
DEFINITIONS
1.01. Definitions.
As used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such
meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of
the
terms defined):
(a) Agreement.
Agreement means this Employee Benefits Agreement, including all
Schedules hereto.
(b) Alltel
Wireless Individuals.
Alltel
Wireless Individuals means the employees, former employees, and the
beneficiaries, dependents, alternate payees within the meaning of
Section 206(d) of ERISA, and qualified beneficiaries within the meaning
of
Section 607 of ERISA thereof who are not Spinco Employees or Spinco
Individuals.
(c) Beginning
Date.
Beginning Date means the date that the Distribution Agreement is entered into
by
Alltel and Spinco.
(d) Code.
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) ERISA.
ERISA
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
(f) FMLA.
FMLA
means the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended.
(g) PBGC.
PBGC
means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.
(h) Pension
Transfer Date.
Pension
Transfer Date means the date on which the assets are transferred pursuant to
Section 3.01(c) of the Agreement, which date shall be as soon as reasonably
practicable after the establishment of the Spinco Pension Plan (as defined
herein).
(i) Spinco
Employees.
Spinco
Employees means the employees of AT Co. Group primarily engaged in the Spinco
Business who are (1) transferred to or accept employment with Spinco,
whether salaried or hourly and whether or not on vacation, leave, or authorized
absence in accordance with the established practices or policies of Alltel
on
the Beginning Date and (2) designated as a Spinco Employee in accordance
with Section 2.01 of this Agreement.
(j) Spinco
Individuals.
Spinco
Individuals means the former employees of the AT Group who were engaged in
the
Spinco Business and the beneficiaries, including dependents, alternate payees
within the meaning of Section 206(d) of ERISA, and qualified beneficiaries
within the meaning of Section 607 of ERISA thereof to the extent such
beneficiaries, dependents, alternate payees and qualified beneficiaries have
any
interest in the employee benefit plans, policies and compensation programs
set
forth in Schedule III. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual
shall
be deemed a Spinco Individual for purposes of this Agreement unless designated
as a Spinco Individual in accordance with Section 2.01 of this
Agreement.
1.02. Other
Capitalized Terms.
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement (and not otherwise defined in the
preamble, recitals, or Section 1.01) shall have the respective meanings assigned
to them in the Distribution Agreement, except for names of benefit arrangements
and unless the contrary is clearly indicated by the context.
1.03. Schedule
I.
Schedule I sets forth the Alltel employee benefit plans, policies, and
compensation programs in effect as of the Beginning Date.
1.04. Schedule
V.
Schedule V sets forth a list of Spinco Employees and Spinco
Individuals as of the Beginning Date, which list will be updated from time
to
time prior to the Distribution Date by Alltel.
ARTICLE
2
EMPLOYEES
AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES
2.01. Designation
of Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Alltel and Spinco shall take or cause to be taken
all
actions necessary to cause the Spinco Employees to be employed by Spinco or
a
Spinco Subsidiary. Until the Distribution Date, Spinco shall continue to use
existing salary or pay structures for Spinco Employees, including ordinary
salary and pay adjustments in the normal course of business or salary or pay
adjustments made in connection with a Spinco Employee's change in responsibility
or a change in structure of Spinco. Prior to the Distribution Date, Alltel
shall
designate those employees and other individuals who shall constitute Spinco
Employees and Spinco Individuals for purposes of this Agreement. Alltel shall
provide Spinco and the Company or their designated agents and the Steering
Committee with the list of the individuals so designated (as well as information
with respect to service and most recent annual compensation with the AT Co.
Group) within 15 days prior to the Distribution Date.
2.02. Collective
Bargaining Agreements.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Alltel and Spinco shall take or cause to be taken
actions that are necessary (if any) for Spinco or a Spinco Subsidiary to
continue to maintain or to assume any collective bargaining agreements relating
to Spinco Employees. Schedule II sets forth a list of collective bargaining
agreements relating to Spinco Employees in effect as of the Beginning
Date.
2.03. Assumption,
Retention of Liabilities.
As described in this Agreement and except as otherwise provided
in the Distribution Agreement, Spinco hereby agrees, as of the dates set forth
herein, to assume and to pay, perform, fulfill, and discharge, or to cause
an
employee benefit plan to assume, pay, perform, fulfill, and discharge, or to
cause an employee benefit plan, program or arrangement to assume, pay, perform,
fulfill and discharge, in accordance with their respective terms, all
liabilities (regardless of when or where such liabilities arose or arise or
were
or are incurred) relating to Spinco Employees and Xxxxx Individuals, under
or
with respect to the employee benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs
as set forth in Schedule III, to the extent relating to, arising out of, or
resulting from future, present, or former employment with the AT Co. Group
or
Spinco Group.
Alltel
and AT Co. Group hereby agrees to retain, pay, perform, fulfill and discharge
or
cause an employee benefit plan, program or arrangement to retain, pay, perform,
fulfill and discharge, in accordance with their respective terms, all
liabilities (regardless of when or where such liabilities arose or arise or
were
or are incurred) relating to Alltel Wireless Employees.
2.04. No
Duplication of Benefits.
The
Spinco employee benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs shall be,
with respect to Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals, and in accordance
with
the terms of such benefit plans, policies and compensation programs and
applicable law, the successors in interest to, and shall not provide benefits
that duplicate benefits provided by, the corresponding Alltel employee benefit
plans, policies, and compensation programs. Alltel and Spinco shall agree on
methods and procedures to prevent Spinco Individuals from receiving duplicative
benefits.
Nothing
in this Agreement shall entitle any Alltel Wireless Employee to any benefit,
right or interest in any benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs
established by Spinco pursuant to this Agreement.
2.05. No
Acceleration of Benefits.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in the Distribution Agreement, no
provision of this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement shall be construed
to
create any right, or accelerate vesting or entitlement, to any compensation
or
benefit whatsoever on the part of any Spinco Employee or Spinco Individual
or
other future, present or former employee of the AT Co. Group or Spinco Group
under any benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs of the AT Co.
Group
or Spinco Group.
2.06. Beneficiary
Designations.
All beneficiary designations made by Spinco Employees and Spinco
Individuals for Alltel employee benefit plans shall be transferred to and be
in
full force and effect under the corresponding Spinco employee benefit plans
until such beneficiary designations are replaced or revoked by the Spinco
Employees and Spinco Individuals who made the beneficiary
designation.
2.07. Spinco
Amendment Authority.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in the Distribution Agreement,
nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit Spinco or the Spinco Group
from amending or terminating any employee benefit plans, policies, and
compensation programs at any time after the Distribution Date.
2.08. Asset
Transfers.
The
provisions of this Agreement for the transfer of assets from certain trusts
relating to Alltel employee benefit plans to the corresponding trusts relating
to Spinco employee benefit plans are based upon the understanding of the parties
that each such Spinco employee benefit plan will assume the corresponding
liabilities from the Alltel employee benefit plan relating to the Spinco
Employees and Spinco Individuals, as provided for in this
Agreement.
2.09. Spinco
Responsibility and Rights.
Spinco may perform any responsibility or exercise any right under
this Agreement by causing such responsibility or right to be undertaken or
exercised by a Spinco Subsidiary, provided, however, that Spinco shall be fully
responsible to Alltel for ensuring compliance by Spinco, any Spinco Subsidiary
and the Spinco Group with the applicable terms of this Agreement.
2.10. No
Commitment to Employment or Benefits.
Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be construed as a commitment or agreement
on
the part of any person to continue employment with the AT Co. Group or Spinco
Group, or as a commitment on the part of the AT Co. Group or Spinco Group to
continue the employment, compensation, or benefits of any person for any period.
This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the AT Co. Group, Spinco Group
and
the Company and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended
to
confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities under this
Agreement upon any Person, including any Spinco Employee, Spinco Individual,
Alltel Wireless Employee, employee of the Company, or officer, director or
contractor of the AT Co. Group, the Spinco Group or the Company, other than
the
Company and parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and
assigns.
2.11. No
Expansion of Participation.
Unless
otherwise determined by Spinco, a Spinco Employee or Spinco Individual shall
be
entitled to participate in a Spinco employee benefit plan, policy or
compensation program established pursuant to this Agreement only to the extent
that such Spinco Employee or Spinco Individual was entitled to participate
in
the corresponding Alltel employee benefit plan, policy or compensation program
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
2.12. No
Alteration of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Nothing
in this Agreement is intended to alter the provisions of any collective
bargaining agreement set forth on Schedule II or modify in any way the
obligations of the AT Group or Spinco or the Spinco Group to any person or
union
as described in such agreement.
2.13. Government
Reporting.
Prior
to the Distribution Date or within such other time period described by
applicable law or regulation, Alltel shall notify or report to the appropriate
government agency regarding the transactions contemplated by, or the actions
taken pursuant to this Agreement to the extent such notification or report
is
required by ERISA, the Code or other applicable law, and shall provide all
information required by such government agency.
ARTICLE
3
DEFINED
BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLANS
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan and related trust intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code
and exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code for Spinco
Employees and Spinco Individuals, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to provisions of the Alltel Corporation Pension Plan (the "Spinco
Pension Plan")
including for this purpose the amendments to the Alltel Corporation Pension
Plan
regarding the freeze of benefit accruals under such plan for certain employees
effective as of December 31, 2005 or December 31, 2010, as applicable, under
the
amendment.
(b) Determination
Letter.
Before
the expiration of the applicable remedial amendment period under Section 401(b)
of the Code, Spinco shall file an application for and make commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain a determination from the Internal Revenue Service
that the Spinco Pension Plan and related trust are qualified within the meaning
of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code, respectively.
(c) Transfer
of Assets/Liabilities.
On the
Pension Transfer Date, Alltel shall transfer, or cause to be transferred, in
accordance with Section 414(l) of the Code, the assets and liabilities
attributable to the Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals from the Alltel
Corporation Pension Plan and its related trust to the Spinco Pension Plan and
its related trust.
The
amount of assets and liabilities transferred from the Alltel Corporation Pension
Plan to the Spinco Pension Plan shall be determined in accordance with Section
3.02.
(a) The
liabilities transferred from the Alltel Corporation Pension Plan to the Spinco
Pension Plan will be the current liability with respect to the Spinco Employees
and Spinco Individuals under the Alltel Corporation Pension Plan as of the
Pension Transfer Date. Except as provided in Section 3.02(b), the amount
of
assets transferred from the Alltel Corporation Pension Plan to the Spinco
Pension Plan shall be the amount equal to a percentage of the fair market value
of the assets of the Alltel Corporation Pension Plan as of the Pension Transfer
Date, where the percentage is the quotient of (1) the current liability with
respect to the Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals under the Alltel
Corporation Pension Plan as of the Pension Transfer Date divided by (2) the
entire current liability under the Alltel Corporation Pension Plan as of the
Pension Transfer Date. "Current liability" shall be calculated utilizing the
actuarial methods and assumptions attached hereto as Schedule IV.
(b) In
no
event shall the amount transferred under Section 3.02(a) be less than the amount
required to be transferred under the requirements of Section 414(l)
of the
Code.
(c) In
the
event Alltel makes a contribution(s) to the Alltel Corporation Pension Plan
at
or prior to the time of transfer of assets and liabilities to the Spinco Pension
Plan, Spinco will pay to Alltel the percentage of the contribution(s) over
$20
million equal to the quotient of (1) the current liability (as defined in
Section 3.02(a)) with respect to the Spinco Individuals under the Alltel
Corporation Pension Plan as of the Pension Transfer Date divided by (2) the
entire current liability (as defined in Section 3.02(a)) under the Alltel
Corporation Pension Plan as of the Pension Transfer Date.
ARTICLE
4
DEFINED
CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLANS
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan and related trust intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code
and exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code for Spinco
Employee and Spinco Individuals, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to provisions of the Alltel Corporation 401(k) Plan (the "Spinco
401(k) Plan").
(b) Determination
Letter.
Before
the expiration of the applicable remedial amendment period under Section 401(b)
of the Code, Spinco shall file for and make commercially reasonable efforts
to
obtain a determination from the Internal Revenue Service that the Spinco 401(k)
Plan and related trust are qualified within the meaning of Sections 401(a)
and 501(a) of the Code, respectively.
(c) Transfer
of Assets/Liabilities.
As soon
as reasonably practicable after the establishment of the Spinco 401(k) Plan,
Alltel shall transfer, or cause to be transferred, in accordance with Section
414(l) of the Code, the account balances (assets and liabilities) of the Spinco
Employees and Spinco Individuals from the Alltel Corporation 401(k) Plan and
its
related trust to the Spinco 401(k) Plan and its related trust. Any participant
loan notes with respect to the Spinco Individuals shall be transferred
in-kind.
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan and related trust intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code
and exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code for Spinco
Employees and Spinco Individuals, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Alltel Corporation Profit Sharing Plan (the
"Spinco
Profit Sharing Plan").
(b) Determination
Letter.
Before
the expiration of the applicable remedial amendment period under Section 401(b)
of the Code, Spinco shall file an application for and make commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain a determination from the Internal Revenue Service
that the Spinco Profit Sharing Plan and related trust are qualified within
the
meaning of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code,
respectively.
(c) Transfer
of Assets/Liabilities.
As soon
as reasonably practicable after the establishment of the Spinco Profit Sharing
Plan, Alltel shall transfer, or cause to be transferred, in accordance with
Section 414(l) of the Code, the account balances (assets and liabilities) of
the
Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals from the Alltel Corporation Profit
Sharing Plan and its related trust to the Spinco Profit Sharing Plan and related
trust. Alltel will properly accrue liability on the financial statements prior
to the Distribution Date for the amount of any contributions (prorated to the
Distribution Date) required to be made with respect to any Spinco Employees
or
Spinco Individuals under the terms of Alltel Corporation Profit Sharing Plan,
disregarding any minimum hours, end of year employment or similar requirements
thereunder.
4.03. Georgia
Telephone Corporation Profit Sharing Plan.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Alltel shall transfer, or cause to be transferred,
the
plan sponsorship, assets, liabilities and administration of the Georgia
Telephone Corporation Profit Sharing Plan to Spinco.
4.04. Accucomm
Telecommunications, Inc. 401(k) Plan.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Alltel shall transfer, or cause to be transferred,
the
plan sponsorship, assets, liabilities and administration of the Accucomm
Telecommunications, Inc. 401(k) Plan to Spinco.
ARTICLE
5
HEALTH
AND WELFARE PLANS
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals, the provisions of which shall
be substantially identical to the provisions of the Alltel Comprehensive Plan
of
Group Insurance, including provisions regarding qualified beneficiaries within
the meaning of Section 607 of ERISA and retirees (the "Spinco
Comprehensive Plan").
(b) Retention
of Obligations/Assets.
Spinco
may, but is not required to establish, or cause to be established, a trust
intended to be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(9) of the Code for
Spinco Employees or Spinco Individuals. Alltel and the Alltel Comprehensive
Plan
of Group Insurance shall retain any and all liabilities with respect to claims
incurred under such plan by the Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals on
or
prior to the Distribution Date, regardless of whether such claims are reported
before, on or after the Distribution Date. No assets of the trust related to
the
Alltel Comprehensive Plan of Group Insurance shall be transferred to Spinco
or
any trust established by Spinco.
(c) Elections.
Spinco
shall cause its Spinco Comprehensive Plan to recognize and maintain all coverage
and contribution elections made with respect to the Spinco Employees and Spinco
Individuals under the Alltel Comprehensive Plan of Group Insurance. Spinco
shall
apply such elections under the Spinco Comprehensive Plan for the remainder
of
the period or periods for which the elections are by their terms
applicable.
(d) Maximums
and Coverage Limits.
Spinco
shall cause the Spinco Comprehensive Plan to recognize and give credit for
(1) all amounts applied by Spinco Individuals under the Alltel
Comprehensive Plan of Group Insurance to deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums,
and other applicable benefit coverage limits with respect to which such expenses
have been incurred during the calendar year in which the Distribution Date
occurs and (2) all benefits paid to, or received by, Spinco Employees
and
Spinco Individuals under the Alltel Comprehensive Plan of Group Insurance,
in
either case, for purposes of determining when such persons have received the
maximum benefits, including lifetime maximum benefits, provided under the Spinco
Comprehensive Plan.
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Alltel Corporation Long Term Disability Plan
(the "Spinco
LTD Plan").
(b) Retention
of Obligations/Liabilities.
Effective as of the date of establishment of the Spinco LTD Plan, the
obligations and liabilities incurred on or prior to such date with respect
to
Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals under the Alltel Corporation Long Term
Disability Plan shall be and remain the sole responsibility of Alltel
Corporation Long Term Disability Plan.
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Individuals, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Income Advantage Plan (POP) (the "Spinco
Flex Plan").
(b) Elections.
Spinco
shall cause its Spinco Flex Plan to recognize and maintain all coverage and
contribution elections made with respect to the Spinco Individuals under the
Income Advantage Plan (POP). Spinco shall apply such elections under the Spinco
Flex Plan for the remainder of the period or periods for which the elections
are
by their terms applicable. With respect to any expense reimbursement account
covered under Section 125 of the Code, Spinco shall cause the Spinco Flex Plan
to recognize the account balances of the Spinco Individuals under the Income
Advantage Plan (POP), regardless of whether the account balance is positive
or
negative, as if their participation in the Spinco Flex Plan had been since
the
beginning of the calendar year. Alltel shall transfer assets equal to the value
of the account balances under the Spinco Flex Plan as of the Distribution Date
to Spinco.
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Group Accident Plan (the "Spinco
Accident Plan").
(b) Retention
of Obligations/Liabilities.
Effective as of the date of establishment of the Spinco Accident Plan, the
obligations and liabilities incurred on or prior to such date with respect
to
Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals under the Group Accident Plan shall
be
and remain the sole responsibility of the Group Accident Plan.
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Special Insurance Plan for Former Allied
Telephone Profit Sharing (the "Spinco
Special Insurance Plan").
(b) Retention
of Obligations/Liabilities.
Effective as of the date of establishment of the Spinco Special Insurance Plan,
the obligations and liabilities incurred on or prior to such date with respect
to Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals under the Special Insurance Plan
for
Former Allied Telephone Profit Sharing shall be and remain the sole
responsibility of the Special Insurance Plan for Former Allied Telephone Profit
Sharing.
ARTICLE
6
MISCELLANEOUS
BENEFITS
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Educational Assistance Plan (the "Spinco
Educational Plan").
(b) Transfer
of Obligations/Liabilities.
Effective as of the date of establishment of the Spinco Educational Plan, the
obligations and liabilities with respect to Spinco Employees under the
Educational Assistance Plan shall be transferred to and assumed by the Spinco
Educational Plan.
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Adoption Assistance Plan (the "Spinco
Adoption Plan").
(b) Transfer
of Obligations/Liabilities.
Effective as of the date of establishment of the Spinco Adoption Plan, the
obligations and liabilities with respect to Spinco Employees under the Adoption
Assistance Plan shall be transferred to and assumed by the Spinco Adoption
Plan.
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be substantially
similar to the provisions of the Severance Pay Plan (the "Spinco
Severance Plan").
(b) No
Benefit Triggered.
The
Distribution, Merger or both shall not be an event that entitles a Spinco
Employer or Spinco Individual to benefits under the Severance Pay Plan or Spinco
Severance Plan.
(c) One-Year
Preservation Period
For a
period of one year after the Distribution Date, the Spinco Severance Plan shall
not be amended so as to provide benefits that are less than that which would
have been provided on the day before the Distribution Date.
6.04. Leave
of Absence Programs and FMLA.
Prior to
the Distribution Date, Spinco shall assume and thereafter honor all terms and
conditions of leaves of absence which have been granted to any Spinco Employees
under a leave of absence program or FMLA by the AT Co. Group. After the
Distribution Date, unless otherwise provided in the Transition Services
Agreement, Spinco shall be solely responsible for administering leaves of
absence and compliance with FMLA with respect to Spinco Employees. Spinco shall
recognize all periods of service of Spinco Employees with the AT Co. Group,
as
applicable, to the extent such service is recognized by AT Co. Group for the
purpose of eligibility for leave entitlement under an Alltel leave of absence
program and FMLA.
6.05. Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.
For the period prior to the Distribution Date, Spinco Employees
shall be eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. On or
after the Distribution Date, Spinco Individuals shall not be eligible to
participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
6.06. People
Practices.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
people practices for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be
substantially similar to the provisions of the Alltel People Practices (the
"Spinco
People Practices").
Effective as of the date of establishment of the Spinco People Practices, the
obligations and liabilities with respect to Spinco Employees under the Alltel
People Practices (including service bridging, employee assistance programs,
bereavement, holidays, jury and witness duty, leave of absence, sick pay
program, short term earnings protection program (XXXXX), and vacation) shall
be
transferred to and assumed by Spinco and Spinco shall recognize all periods
of
service of Spinco Employees with the AT Co. Group, as applicable, under the
Spinco People Practices to the extent such service is recognized by AT Co.
Group
for the purpose of eligibility for Alltel People Practices.
ARTICLE
7
INCENTIVE
PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
(a) Alltel
Corporation Performance Incentive Compensation Plan.
For the
2006 performance period, awards held by Spinco Individuals under the Alltel
Corporation Performance Incentive Compensation Plan as of the Distribution
Date
shall be paid as follows:
(1) The
awards shall be deemed earned based on the Alltel Board of Directors' or
appropriate committee thereof reasonable estimate, as of the Distribution Date,
of the actual performance level during the period commencing on January 1,
2006
and ending on the Distribution Date. If earned, each such Spinco Individual
shall be entitled to a pro rata award, the amount of which shall be calculated
based on the number of days in the period commencing on January 1, 2006 and
ending on the Distribution Date out of the total number of days in the
performance measurement period. The amounts described in this Section
7.01(a)(1), if any, shall be paid by Alltel in cash (subject to applicable
deferrals, deductions and tax withholdings) by the Distribution
Date.
(2) Prior
to
the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan, the provisions of which shall be substantially identical to provisions
of
the Alltel Corporation Performance Incentive Compensation Plan, which shall
apply to the performance period beginning the day after the Distribution Date
and ending on December 31, 2006. Spinco shall establish appropriate performance
targets and award amounts that shall be in effect for such performance period
and shall designate such Spinco Individuals as participants.
(b) Alltel
Corporation Long-Term Performance Incentive Compensation Plan.
Outstanding awards held by Spinco Individuals under the Alltel Corporation
Long-Term Performance Incentive Compensation Plan as of the Distribution Date
shall be paid as follows:
(1) The
awards in effect as of the Distribution Date for the 2004 - 2006 performance
measurement period shall be deemed earned based on the Alltel Board of
Directors' or appropriate committee thereof reasonable estimate, as of the
Distribution Date, of the actual performance level of such period. If earned,
each such Spinco Individual shall be entitled to a pro rata award, the amount
of
which shall be calculated based on (i) the number of days in the period
commencing on January 1, 2004 and ending on the Distribution Date out of the
total number of days in the performance measurement period and (ii) his or
her
average base compensation during such period.
(2) The
awards in effect as of the Distribution Date for the 2005 - 2007 performance
measurement period shall be deemed earned at the target performance level.
Each
such Spinco Individual shall be entitled to a pro rata award, the amount of
which shall be calculated based on (i) the number of days in the period
commencing on January 1, 2005 and ending on the Distribution Date out of the
total number of days in the performance measurement period and (ii) his or
her
average base compensation during such period.
(3) The
Spinco Individuals shall not be eligible to receive any awards under the Alltel
Corporation Long-Term Performance Incentive Compensation Plan with respect
to
performance measurement periods beginning on or after January 1,
2006.
(4) The
amounts described in this Section 7.01(b) shall be paid by Alltel in cash
(subject to applicable deferrals, deductions and tax withholdings) by the
Distribution Date.
(c) Compliance
with Section 409A of the Code.
To the
extent practicable, all incentive awards shall be paid in such a manner as
to
avoid the adverse consequences of section 409A of the Code.
(a) Vested
Options.
To the
extent that a Spinco Individual is holding an award consisting of an Alltel
option that is vested and outstanding as of the Distribution Date, that Spinco
Individual shall be treated as experiencing a separation from service from,
or
otherwise terminating employment with, Alltel. Any such Alltel option shall
expire unless it is exercised within the time provided in the option
itself.
(b) Unvested
Options.
To the
extent that a Spinco Individual is holding an award consisting of an Alltel
option that is not vested as of the Distribution Date, that option shall be
cancelled as of the Distribution Date and replaced by restricted shares of
Company common stock in accordance with the terms of Section 8.10(e)
of
Spinco Disclosure Letter to the Merger Agreement.
7.03. Restricted
Stock.
Each
Alltel Restricted Share award outstanding under the 1998
Equity Incentive Plan and held by a Spinco Individual as of the Distribution
Date shall become fully vested on the Distribution Date.
7.04. Other
Plans.
Spinco shall not assume any obligations, liabilities,
sponsorship, administration or assets of or with respect to the Alltel
Corporation 1991 Stock Option Plan, Alltel Corporation 1994 Stock Option Plan,
Alltel Corporation 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, Alltel Corporation 2001 Equity
Incentive Plan, Alltel Corporation Performance Incentive Compensation Plan,
Alltel Corporation Long-Term Performance Incentive Compensation Plan, Change
in
Control Agreements, Alltel Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
and Alltel Split Dollar Insurance Arrangement.
ARTICLE
8
EXECUTIVE
BENEFITS
(a) Establishment.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a
plan for Spinco Employees, the provisions of which shall be substantially
identical to the provisions of the Benefit Restoration Plan (the "Spinco
Restoration Plan").
(b) Transfer
of Obligations/Liabilities.
Effective as of the date of establishment of the Spinco Restoration Plan, the
obligations and liabilities with respect to Spinco Employees under the Benefit
Restoration Plan shall be transferred to and assumed by the Spinco Restoration
Plan.
(a) Prior
to
the Distribution Date, Spinco shall establish, or cause to be established,
a plan for Spinco Employees and Spinco Individuals, the provisions of which
shall be substantially similar to the provisions of the Supplemental Medical
Reimbursement Plan (SMRP) (the "Spinco
SMR Plan").
(b) Effective
as of the date of establishment of the Spinco SMR Plan, the obligations and
liabilities incurred on or prior to such date with respect to Spinco Employees
and Spinco Individuals under the Supplemental Medical Reimbursement Plan (SMRP)
shall be and remain the sole responsibility of the Supplemental Medical
Reimbursement Plan (SMRP).
8.03. Executive
Deferred Compensation Sub-Plan.
Prior to the Distribution Date, Alltel shall transfer, or cause
to be transferred, the plan sponsorship, liabilities and administration of
the
Executive Deferred Compensation Sub-Plan to Spinco
and
shall transfer cash to the general funds of Spinco in an amount sufficient
to
provide for the payment of all benefits due under the sub-plan (assuming for
purposes of calculating this amount only, that all benefits shall be payable
in
a single lump sum on the Distribution Date).
8.04. 1998
Management Deferred Compensation Sub-Plan.
Prior
to the Distribution Date, Alltel shall transfer, or cause to be transferred,
the
plan sponsorship, liabilities and administration of the 1998 Management Deferred
Compensation Sub-Plan to Spinco and shall transfer cash to the general funds
of
Spinco in an amount sufficient to provide for the payment of all benefits due
under the sub-plan (assuming for purposes of calculating this amount only,
that
all benefits shall be payable in a single lump sum on the Distribution
Date).
ARTICLE
9
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
9.01. Sharing
of Participant Information.
Alltel
and Spinco shall share, with each other and their respective agents and vendors
(without obtaining releases) all participant information necessary for the
efficient and accurate administration of each employee benefit plan of Alltel
and Spinco, as permitted by applicable law and subject to applicable laws on
confidentiality.
9.02. Cooperation.
The AT
Co. Group and Spinco Group shall cooperate fully with each other on any issue
relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
9.03. Fiduciary
Matters.
AT Co.
Group and Spinco each acknowledge that actions required to be taken pursuant
to
this Agreement may be subject to fiduciary duties or standards of conduct under
ERISA or other applicable law, and no party shall be deemed to be in violation
of this Agreement if it fails to comply with any provisions hereof based upon
its good faith determination that to do so would violate such a fiduciary duty
or standard.
9.04. Consent
of Third Parties.
If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of
any third party (such as a vendor) and such consent is withheld, the AT Co.
Group and Spinco Group shall use their reasonable best efforts to implement
the
applicable provisions of this Agreement to the full extent practicable. If
any
provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such
third party to consent, the AT Co. Group and Spinco Group shall negotiate in
good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory
manner.
9.05. Distribution
Agreement.
This
Agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the Distribution Agreement
and, in addition to Section 9.07, all provisions of the Distribution
Agreement, including the survival and indemnification and miscellaneous
provisions, shall apply with equal force to this Agreement
except
as specifically provided in this Agreement.
(a) Service
Provider Contracts.
Alltel
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause each service provider (including
third-party administrator, recordkeeper and trustee) with respect to any plan
or
program assumed or mirrored by Spinco (including the Alltel Comprehensive Plan
of Group Insurance, Alltel Corporation Long Term Disability Plan, Income
Advantage Plan (POP), Group Accident Plan or Special Insurance Plan for Former
Allied Telephone Profit Sharing, Alltel Corporation Pension Plan, Alltel
Corporation 401(k) Plan, Alltel Corporation Profit Sharing Plan, and
Supplemental Medical Reimbursement Plan (SMRP)) in existence as of the Beginning
Date to enter into an agreement with Spinco with substantially similar terms
and
conditions as provided to Alltel Such terms and conditions shall include the
financial and termination provisions, performance standards, methodology,
auditing policies, quality measures, reporting requirements and target claims.
The Spinco Group shall use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with Alltel
in such efforts, and the Spinco Group shall not perform any act, including
discussing any alternative arrangements with any third party, that would
prejudice Alltel's efforts. If it becomes reasonably likely that Alltel will
not
be successful in negotiating contract language with a third-party administrator
that will permit compliance with the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9.06(a), Alltel shall so notify Spinco promptly, and after such
notification, the Spinco Group shall be released from the restriction contained
in the immediately preceding sentence. In addition, notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the Distribution Agreement or any other agreement
between the parties hereto, Spinco shall not be required, or be deemed to be
required, to establish a benefit plan, policy, program, practice or arrangement
that it is not able to insure or administer or contract for insurance or
administration on substantially similar terms and conditions as the Alltel
benefit plans, policies, programs, practices or arrangements.
(b) Insurance
and HMO/PPO Agreements.
Alltel
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause each HMO, PPO, and insurance
carrier that provides benefits under any plan or program assumed or mirrored
by
Spinco (including the Alltel Comprehensive Plan of Group Insurance, Alltel
Corporation Long Term Disability Plan, Income Advantage Plan (POP), Group
Accident Plan or Special Insurance Plan for Former Allied Telephone Profit
Sharing) in existence as of the Beginning Date to provide coverage to Spinco
Individuals on terms that are substantially similar to the terms and conditions
provided to Alltel, in each case, through December 31, 2006, or such
other
date on which the parties may agree. Such terms and conditions shall include
the
financial and termination provisions. The Spinco Group shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cooperate with Alltel in such efforts, and the Spinco Group
shall not perform any act, including discussing any alternative arrangements
with any third-party that would prejudice Alltel's efforts. If it becomes
reasonably likely that Alltel will not be successful in negotiating contract
language that will permit compliance with the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9.06(b), Alltel shall so notify Spinco promptly, and after such
notification, the Spinco Group shall be released from the restriction contained
in the immediately preceding sentence. In addition, notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the Distribution Agreement or any other agreement
between the parties hereto, Alltel shall not be required, or be deemed to be
required, to maintain a benefit plan, policy, program, practice or arrangement
that it is not able to insure or administer or contract for insurance or
administration on substantially similar terms and conditions as the Alltel
benefit plans, policies, programs, practices or arrangements prior to the
Distribution Date.
(a) By
Spinco.
In
addition to any indemnity in any other Transaction Agreement, Spinco shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the AT Co. Indemnitees from and against
all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to (i) the transfer of assets and
liabilities as provided under this Agreement, (ii) any administrative errors
or
administrative failures of any member of the Spinco Group regarding the Spinco
employee benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs or (iii) claims
for
benefits by any person under the Spinco employee benefit plans, policies, and
compensation programs; provided, however, the forgoing indemnity shall not
apply
in any case or circumstance to the extent (i) involving a fiduciary violation
under ERISA against any member of the AT Co. Group or any of its agents or
fiduciaries or (ii) any member of the AT Co. Group or any of its agents or
fiduciaries has been negligent, acted with willful misconduct, engaged in fraud
or embezzlement or violated any applicable law.
(b) By
Alltel.
In
addition to any indemnity in any other Transaction Agreement, Alltel shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Spinco Indemnitees from and against
all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to (i) the transfer of assets and
liabilities as provided under this Agreement, (ii) any administrative errors
or
administrative failures of any member of the At. Co. Group regarding the Alltel
employee benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs and which has an
impact on the expected benefits under, or compliance with any law of, the Spinco
employee benefit plans, policies, and compensation programs, (iii) claims for
benefits by any person under the Spinco employee benefit plans, policies, and
compensation programs attributable to any foregoing administrative errors or
administrative failures of any member of the At. Co. Group, or (iv) any
liabilities and obligations pertaining to any person or entity to the extent
not
expressly assumed by Spinco under this Agreement; provided, however, the
forgoing indemnity shall not apply in any case or circumstance to the extent
(i)
involving a fiduciary violation under ERISA against any member of the Spinco
Group or any of its agents or fiduciaries or (ii) any member of the Spinco
Group
or any of its agents or fiduciaries has been negligent, acted with willful
misconduct, engaged in fraud or embezzlement or violated any applicable
law.
The
foregoing indemnities under subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to any claim
formally presented in writing to the other party before the first
anniversary of the Distribution Date.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Employee Benefits Agreement to
be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
ALLTEL
CORPORATION
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By:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx
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Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
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Title: CEO
& President
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ALLTEL
HOLDING CORP.
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Name:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Title:
President
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