Exhibit 10.8
EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYEE MATTERS
AGREEMENT
by and between
Verizon Communications
Inc.
and
Idearc Inc.
dated as of November 17,
2006
Table of Contents
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Page
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ARTICLE I.
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DEFINITIONS
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Section 1.1.
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Definitions
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1
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Section 1.2.
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Capitalized
Terms
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8
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ARTICLE II.
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EMPLOYEES; ASSUMPTION OF
LIABILITIES
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Section 2.1.
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Employees.
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8
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Section 2.2.
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Assumption of
Liabilities.
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9
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Section 2.3.
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Reimbursement.
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10
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Section 2.4.
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Indemnification.
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10
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Section 2.5.
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Procedures for
Indemnification for Third-Party Claims.
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11
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Section 2.6.
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Reductions for
Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts.
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13
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Section 2.7.
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Contribution.
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13
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Section 2.8.
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Consequential
Damages
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14
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Section 2.9.
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Joint Defense
and Cooperation
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14
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ARTICLE III.
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COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENTS
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Section 3.1.
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Continuity and
Performance of Agreements
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14
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ARTICLE IV.
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IDEARC PLANS GENERALLY
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Section 4.1.
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Establishment
of Idearc Plans
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14
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Section 4.2.
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Terms of
Participation by Idearc Individuals
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15
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Section 4.3.
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Transition
Services
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15
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i
Table of Contents
(continued)
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Page
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ARTICLE V.
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HEALTH AND WELFARE
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Section 5.1.
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Assumption of
Health and Welfare Plans.
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16
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Section 5.2.
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Adoption of
Health and Welfare Plans.
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16
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Section 5.3.
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COBRA and
HIPAA
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17
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Section 5.4.
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Workers’
Compensation Claims
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18
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Section 5.5.
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Leave of
Absence Programs
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18
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Section 5.6.
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Time-Off
Benefits
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18
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ARTICLE VI.
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PENSION PLANS
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Section 6.1.
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Split of
Verizon Plans
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18
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Section 6.2.
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Establishment
of Pension Plans and Trusts.
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19
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Section 6.3.
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Assumption of
Pension Plan Liabilities and Allocation of Interests in the Verizon
Pension Trusts.
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19
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Section 6.4.
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Continuation of
Elections
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22
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ARTICLE VII.
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SAVINGS PLANS
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Section 7.1.
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Establishment
of the Idearc Savings Plan
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22
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Section 7.2.
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Assumption of
Liabilities and Transfer of Assets.
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22
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ARTICLE VIII.
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EQUITY BASED INCENTIVE
AWARDS
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Section 8.1.
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General
Treatment of Outstanding Awards
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23
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Section 8.2.
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Outstanding
Options
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23
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Section 8.3.
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Treatment of
Outstanding Verizon RSU and PSU Awards.
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24
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ii
Table of Contents
(continued)
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Page
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ARTICLE IX.
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SHORT TERM INCENTIVES AND SALES
COMMISSION PROGRAMS
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Section 9.1.
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Incentive and
Commission Plans
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25
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ARTICLE X.
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DEFERRED COMPENSATION
PLANS
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Section 10.1.
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Generally
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25
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Section 10.2.
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Vesting and
Payout of Balances
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25
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ARTICLE XI.
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CERTAIN TAX MATTERS
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Section 11.1.
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Certain Tax
Matters
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26
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ARTICLE XII.
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GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE
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Section 12.1.
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Sharing of
Information
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26
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Section 12.2.
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Cooperation
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26
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Section 12.3.
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Consent of
Third Parties
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26
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Section 12.4.
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Survival
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27
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Section 12.5.
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Interpretation
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27
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Section 12.6.
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No Third Party
Beneficiary.
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27
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Section 12.7.
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Notices
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27
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Section 12.8.
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Governing Law;
Jurisdiction
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29
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Section 12.9.
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Waiver of Jury
Trial
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29
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Section 12.10.
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Specific
Performance
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29
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Section 12.11.
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No Assignment;
No Amendment; Counterparts
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iii
Employee Matters
Agreement
This Employee Matters Agreement
(this “ Agreement ”), dated as of November 17,
2006 is by and between Verizon Communications Inc., a Delaware
Corporation (“ Verizon ”), and Idearc Inc., a
Delaware Corporation (“ Idearc ” and together
with Verizon, each a “ Party ” and collectively,
the “ Parties ”), and effective as of the
Distribution Date.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of
Verizon has determined that it is in the best interests of Verizon
and its stockholders to separate the Idearc business into an
independent public company;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the
foregoing, Verizon has announced its intention to distribute all of
the shares of Idearc Common Stock to the holders of Verizon Common
Stock;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the
foregoing, Verizon and Idearc have entered into a Distribution
Agreement, dated November 13, 2006 (the “
Distribution Agreement ”) that will govern the terms
and conditions relating to the separation among Verizon and Idearc;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement, Verizon and Idearc have agreed to enter
into this Agreement for the purpose of allocating current and
former employees and assets, liabilities, rights and
responsibilities with respect to employee compensation and benefits
and other employment matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the mutual promises contained herein and in the Distribution
Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1.
Definitions
“ 2004 PSU ”
means any Performance Share Unit granted by Verizon in the 2004
calendar year.
“ 2005 PSU ”
means any Performance Share Unit granted by Verizon in the 2005
calendar year.
“ 2006 PSU ”
means any Performance Share Unit granted by Verizon in the 2006
calendar year.
“ Agreement ”
means this Employee Matters Agreement, and all exhibits, schedules,
appendices and annexes hereto.
“ Benefit Payments
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.3.
“ Close of the Distribution
Date ” means 11:59:59 P.M., Eastern Standard Time or
Eastern Daylight Time (whichever shall then be in effect), on the
Distribution Date.
“ COBRA ” has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.3.
“ Code ” means
the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
“ Contribution ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Delayed Transfer
Employee ” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 2.1(b).
“ Designated Idearc
Subsidiary ” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 2.1(b).
“ Distribution ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Distribution
Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the third
recital to this Agreement.
“ Distribution Date
” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ EDP ” means the
Verizon Executive Deferral Plan.
“ Excess Plan ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.1.
“ Final Asset Transfer
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.3.
“ Former VIS Employee
” means any individual, other than a VIS VMPP DVP, who as of
the Close of the Distribution Date, is neither then actively
employed by, nor then on an approved leave of absence or lay-off
with right of recall from Verizon Group or Idearc Group and whose
last employment has been determined by Verizon to have been with
the Spinco Business. “Former VIS Employee” shall also
include the beneficiaries and dependents of such an
individual.
“ FRP ” means the
Verizon Flexible Reimbursement Plan.
“ FRP Participants
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.2(c).
“ Governmental
Authority ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution
Agreement.
2
“ Idearc ” means
Idearc Inc.
“ Idearc CBAs ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1.
“ Idearc Common Stock
” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Idearc Employee
” means any individual who, as of the Close of the
Distribution Date, (i) is actively employed by, or on an
approved leave of absence including those individuals who are
receiving long term disability benefits under the (Verizon long
term disability plan) or lay-off with right of recall from the
Verizon Group (including Represented Employees), (ii) whose
primary duties immediately prior to the Distribution Date (or such
earlier date as Verizon shall determine with respect to such
employee or any class of employees) were related to the Spinco
Business and (iii) is not a Retained Employee. “Idearc
Employee” shall, as of the applicable Transfer Date, also
include any Delayed Transfer Employee. “Idearc
Employee” shall also include the beneficiaries and dependents
of an individual described in the first sentence of this definition
or of a Delayed Transfer Employee.
“ Idearc Excess Pension
Plan ” has the meaning given to it in
Section 6.1.
“ Idearc FSA ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(c).
“ Idearc Group ”
means Idearc and the Idearc Subsidiaries.
“ Idearc Indemnitees
” means Idearc and each Affiliate of Idearc immediately after
the Distribution and each of their respective present and former
Representatives and each of the heirs, executors, successors and
assigns of any of the foregoing.
“ Idearc Individual
” means each Idearc Employee and each Former VIS
Employee.
“ Idearc Liabilities
” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Idearc Management Pension
Plan ” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.1.
“ Idearc Mirror Plans
” means the Idearc Welfare Plans, the Idearc Union Pension
Plan, the Idearc Management Pension Plan, the Idearc Excess Pension
Plan and, the Idearc Savings Plans.
“ Idearc Pension Plans
” mean the Idearc Management Pension Plan and the Idearc
Union Pension Plan.
“ Idearc Plan ”
means any Plan maintained or sponsored by Idearc or any of its
subsidiaries for the benefit of any current or former employee of
any such person.
3
“ Idearc Savings Plan
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 7.1.
“ Idearc Subsidiaries
” means all direct and indirect Subsidiaries of Idearc
immediately after the Contribution.
“ Idearc Trust ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.3(c)(i).
“ Idearc Union Pension
Plan ” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.2.
“ Idearc Welfare Plans
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 5.2(a).
“ IDP ” means the
Verizon Income Deferral Plan.
“ Indemnifiable Losses
” means all Losses, Liabilities, damages, claims, demands,
judgments or settlements of any nature or kind, including all costs
and expenses (legal, accounting or otherwise) that are reasonably
incurred relating thereto, suffered by an Indemnitee, including any
costs or expenses of enforcing any indemnity hereunder that are
reasonably incurred and all Taxes resulting from indemnification
payments hereunder.
“ Indemnifying Party
” means a Person that is obligated under this Agreement to
provide indemnification.
“ Indemnitee ”
means a Person that may seek indemnification under this
Agreement.
“ Individual Agreement
” means an individual employment contract or other similar
agreement that specifically pertains to any Idearc
Individual.
“ Initial Asset
Transfer ” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.3.
“ Liabilities ”
means any and all losses, claims, charges, debts, demands, actions,
costs and expenses (including administrative and related costs and
expenses of any plan, program, or arrangement), of any nature
whatsoever, whether absolute or contingent, vested or unvested,
matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or
unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising.
“ Losses ” has
the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Original Option
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 8.2.
“ Outstanding Awards
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 8.1.
“ Party ” has the
meaning ascribed to it in the preamble to this
Agreement.
4
“ Parties ” has
the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble to this
Agreement.
“ Pension Plan Asset
Transfer Amount ” means, in the case of a transfer of
assets and liabilities from a Verizon Pension Plan to an Idearc
Pension Plan, the amount required to be transferred pursuant to
Section 6.3.
“ Person ” has
the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Plan ” means
any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, on-going arrangement,
contract, trust, insurance policy or other agreement or funding
vehicle, whether written or unwritten, providing compensation or
benefits to employees, or former employees of the Idearc Group or
Verizon, as the case may be.
“ PSU ” has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.3.
“ Remaining Option
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 8.2.
“ Represented Employee
” means any Idearc Employee whose employment is governed by
an Idearc CBA as of the Distribution Date.
“ Retained Employee
” means any individual who, as of the Close of the
Distribution Date, (i) is actively employed by, or on an
approved leave of absence or lay-off with right of recall from, a
member of the Verizon Group, (ii) had been primarily employed
in the Spinco Business and (iii) whose employment Verizon
determines, in its sole discretion, shall continue as a Verizon
Employee, not as an employee of a member of the Idearc Group.
Verizon shall identify each Retained Employee by written notice
delivered to Idearc at least five business days prior to the
Distribution Date.
“ Representative
” means, with respect to any Person, any of such
Person’s directors, managers or persons acting in a similar
capacity, officers, employees, agents, consultants, financial and
other advisors, accountants, attorneys and other
representatives.
“ RSU ” has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.3.
“ Sales Commission
Program ” means the programs listed on Annex C of this
Agreement.
“ Short Term Incentive
Plan ” means the Plans listed on Annex D of this
Agreement.
“ Spinco Business
” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Split Date ”
means, with respect to any Idearc Mirror Plan, any date on or prior
to the Distribution Date as of which Verizon determines that the
corresponding Verizon Plan shall be split into two or more parts
for purposes of effecting the establishment of
5
such Idearc Mirror Plans in accordance with this
Agreement; provided that the Split Date for the VMPP shall be prior
to the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding anything else contained
herein to the contrary, except for the immediately preceding
sentence, if no such Split Date shall occur prior to the
Distribution Date with respect to any Idearc Mirror Plan, the
Distribution Date shall be the Split Date for such Mirror
Plan.
“ Subsidiary ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Taxes ” has the
meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution Agreement.
“ Third-Party Claim
” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Time-Off Benefits
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 5.7.
“ Transition Services
Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the
Distribution Agreement.
“ Transfer Date ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(b).
“ VEMPP ” has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.2.
“ Verizon ” means
Verizon Communications Inc.
“ Verizon Common Stock
” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution
Agreement.
“ Verizon Employee
” means any individual who, at the relevant time, is actively
employed by, or on an approved leave of absence or lay-off with
right of recall from, a member of the Verizon Group.
“ Verizon Group ”
means Verizon and the Verizon Subsidiaries.
“ Verizon Indemnitees
” means Verizon, each Affiliate of Verizon immediately after
the Contribution and each of their respective present and former
Representatives and each of the heirs, executors, successors and
assigns of any of the foregoing.
“ Verizon Liabilities
” means all Liabilities of Verizon or any of the Verizon
Subsidiaries. In no event shall the term Verizon Liabilities
include any Liabilities that are transferred from or otherwise
cease to be Liabilities of any Verizon Group member or any Verizon
Plan pursuant to this Agreement or that are or have become Idearc
Liabilities.
“ Verizon Pension Plans
” mean the VMPP, the VEMPP, the Verizon Pension Plan for New
York and New England Associates and the Verizon Pension Plan for
Mid-Atlantic Associates, as each such plan is amended from time to
time.
6
“ Verizon Plan ”
means any Plan maintained or sponsored by Verizon or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates (or any of their respective
predecessors) at any time on or prior to the Distribution Date for
the benefit of any current or former employee of any such
person.
“ Verizon Pre-Distribution
Stock Value ” means the closing price per share of
Verizon Common Stock trading on the “regular way” basis
(based on the reported value inclusive of the right to participate
in the distribution) on the Distribution Date.
“ Verizon Post-Distribution
Stock Value ” means the opening price per share of
Verizon Common Stock on the first trading day following the
Distribution Date; provided that, in no event shall such Verizon
Post-Distribution Stock Value be less than the Verizon
Pre-Distribution Stock Value.
“ Verizon Savings Plans
” mean the Verizon Savings Plan for Management Employees, the
Savings and Security Plan for New York and New England Associates,
and the Savings and Security Plan for Mid-Atlantic Associates, as
each such plan is amended from time to time.
“ Verizon Share Ratio
” means the quotient obtained by dividing the Verizon
Pre-Distribution Stock Value by the Verizon Post-Distribution Stock
Value.
“ Verizon Stock Option
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 8.2.
“ Verizon Subsidiaries
” means all direct and indirect Subsidiaries that are, or
continue to be, Subsidiaries of Verizon immediately after the
Distribution Date. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this
Agreement no member of the Idearc Group shall be a Verizon
Subsidiary.
“ Verizon Trust ”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.4(c).
“ Verizon Welfare Plans
” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 5.1.
“ VIS VMPP DVP ”
means an individual who as of the Close of the Distribution Date,
is neither then actively employed by, nor then on an approved leave
of absence or lay-off with right of recall from Verizon Group or
Idearc Group; whose last employment has been determined by Verizon
to have been with the Spinco Business; who has a deferred vested
pension under the VMPP; and who is not eligible for a retirement or
early retirement pension under the VMPP. “VIS VMPP DVP”
shall also include the beneficiaries and dependents of such an
individual.
“ VMPP ” has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.1.
7
Section 1.2. Capitalized
Terms . Any other capitalized term used, but not defined
herein, but defined in the Distribution Agreement, shall have the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Distribution Agreement.
ARTICLE II.
EMPLOYEES; ASSUMPTION OF
LIABILITIES
Section 2.1. Employees
.
(a) General . To the extent
that any individual identified as an Idearc Employee will not
automatically become or continue to be an employee of a member of
the Idearc Group as of the Distribution Date, Verizon agrees to
cause the employment of such individual to be transferred to a
member of the Idearc Group as of the Distribution Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Retained Employees shall remain
employees of Verizon or another member of the Verizon
Group.
(b) Delayed Transfer
Employees . Unless Verizon and Idearc shall otherwise agree in
a written agreement signed by each party, in the event that such
parties agree to transfer the employment of any Verizon Employee to
any member of the Idearc Group after the Distribution Date (each, a
“ Delayed Transfer Employee ”), then effective
as of the date such individual is hired by any such member of the
Idearc Group (the “ Transfer Date ”), such
individual shall become an Idearc Employee and cease to be a
Verizon Employee. As of the Transfer Date or such later date as is
specified in this Agreement (or such other date as may otherwise be
agreed in writing by and between Verizon and Idearc), all
Liabilities of the type and nature that would have been transferred
to an Idearc Plan or assumed by Idearc had such Delayed Transfer
Employee been an Idearc Employee as of the Distribution Date shall
be assumed by Idearc or such other member of the Idearc Group it
shall designate (the “ Designated Idearc Subsidiary
”). For purposes of determining the commitments, duties and
obligations of the Parties hereunder in respect of any such Delayed
Transfer Employee, such Employee’s Transfer Date shall be
substituted for the Distribution Date; provided that
in no event shall the period of any commitment regarding the
benefits to be continued on behalf of such Delayed Transfer
Employee continue in effect beyond the date it would otherwise have
expired if his or her employment had transferred as of the
Distribution Date. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein
to the contrary, to the extent that Idearc allocates duties,
responsibilities, obligations or Liabilities to a Designated Idearc
Subsidiary, Idearc guarantees the performance by such Designated
Idearc Subsidiary of such duties, responsibilities and obligations,
and guarantees payment in respect of any Liabilities, assigned to
such Designated Idearc Subsidiary.
(c) Non-Termination of Employment
or Benefits . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no
provision of this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement shall be
construed to create any right, or accelerate any entitlement, to
any compensation
8
or benefit whatsoever on the part of any
employee employed by any member of the Verizon Group or the Idearc
Group. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at no time
shall the Distribution cause any employee of any member of the
Verizon Group or any Idearc Employee to be deemed to have incurred
a termination of employment or to have created any entitlement to
any severance benefits or the commencement of any other benefits
under any Verizon Plan or any of the Individual
Agreements.
(d) No Right to Continued
Employment . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer
on any employee of any member of the Verizon Group or any Idearc
Employee any right to continued employment. Except as specifically
provided otherwise herein, this Agreement shall not limit the
ability of the Idearc Group to change, at any time after the
Distribution Date and in its sole discretion, an Idearc
Employee’s position, compensation or benefits for
performance-related, business or any other reasons or require any
member of the Idearc Group to continue the employment of an Idearc
Employee for any particular period of time after the Distribution
Date, provided that Idearc shall bear all liability for any such
termination of employment or modification of terms and conditions
of employment following the Distribution Date with respect to
Idearc Employees.
(e) Compensation and Benefits of
Represented Employees . As of the Distribution Date, the
compensation, benefits, hours, terms and conditions of employment
of Represented Employees shall continue to be determined in
accordance with the applicable Idearc CBAs.
Section 2.2. Assumption of
Liabilities .
(a) By Idearc . As of the
Distribution Date, except as otherwise expressly provided for in
this Agreement, Idearc shall or shall cause a Designated Idearc
Subsidiary or Idearc Plan to assume and agree to pay, perform,
fulfill and discharge, in accordance with their respective terms,
all of the following, regardless of when or where such Liabilities
arose or arise or are incurred:
(i) all Liabilities to or relating
to Idearc Individuals and their dependents and beneficiaries, to
the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from employment
with any member of the Verizon Group on or prior to the
Distribution Date;
(ii) all Liabilities under any
Individual Agreement relating to any Idearc Individual;
and
(iii) all other Liabilities relating
to, or arising out of, or resulting from obligations, liabilities,
and responsibilities expressly assumed or retained by a member of
the Idearc Group or an Idearc Plan pursuant to this Agreement or
the Distribution Agreement.
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In addition, as of each applicable
Transfer Date (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the
Parties), Idearc or a Designated Idearc Subsidiary shall assume all
of the Liabilities outlined in (i), (ii), and (iii) above with
respect to each Delayed Transfer Employee.
(b) By Verizon .
Notwithstanding Section 2.2(a), Verizon shall or shall cause
the applicable Verizon Plan or Verizon Group member to agree to
retain, pay, perform, fulfill and discharge all of the
following:
(i) all Liabilities to or relating
to Retained Employees and their dependents and beneficiaries, to
the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from former,
present, or future employment with the Verizon Group;
(ii) all Liabilities to or relating
to VIS VMPP DVPs and their dependents and beneficiaries, to the
extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from former,
present, or future employment with the Verizon Group;
(iii) all Liabilities with respect
to Outstanding Awards; and
(iv) all Liabilities under the EDP
or IDP.
Section 2.3.
Reimbursement .
(a) By Idearc . From time to
time after the Distribution, Idearc shall promptly reimburse
Verizon, but in no event more than fifteen business days after
delivery by Verizon of an invoice therefor containing reasonable
substantiating documentation of such costs and expenses, for the
cost of any obligations or Liabilities that Verizon elects to, or
is compelled to, pay or otherwise satisfy, that are or that
pursuant to this Agreement have become, the responsibility of
Idearc or any Idearc Designated Subsidiary.
(b) By Verizon . From time to
time after the Distribution, Verizon shall promptly reimburse
Idearc, but in no event more than fifteen business days after
delivery by Idearc of an invoice therefor containing reasonable
substantiating documentation of such costs and expenses, for the
cost of any obligations or Liabilities that Idearc elects to, or is
compelled to, pay or otherwise satisfy, that are or that pursuant
to this Agreement have become, the responsibility of
Verizon.
Section 2.4.
Indemnification .
(a) Idearc shall indemnify, defend
and hold harmless the Verizon Indemnitees from and against all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to (i) the failure
of any member of the Idearc Group to pay or satisfy any Idearc
Liabilities, (ii) any other breach of the duties or
obligations of any member of the Idearc Group, as set forth in this
Agreement, or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or
10
omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements herein not misleading, in each case to the extent
relating to the Idearc Group.
(b) Verizon shall indemnify, defend
and hold harmless the Idearc Indemnitees from and against all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to (i) the failure
of any member of the Verizon Group to pay or satisfy any Verizon
Liabilities (other than Verizon Liabilities which arise due to the
failure of any Idearc Group member or any Idearc Plan to satisfy
any Idearc Liabilities), (ii) any other breach of the duties
and obligations of any member of the Verizon Group, as set forth in
this Agreement, or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements herein not misleading, in each case except
to the extent relating to the Idearc Group.
Section 2.5. Procedures for
Indemnification for Third-Party Claims .
(a) Verizon shall, and shall cause
the other Verizon Indemnitees to, notify Idearc in writing promptly
after learning of any Third-Party Claim for which any Verizon
Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification from Idearc under this
Agreement. Idearc shall, and shall cause the other Idearc
Indemnitees to, notify Verizon in writing promptly after learning
of any Third-Party Claim for which any Idearc Indemnitee intends to
seek indemnification from Verizon under this Agreement. The failure
of any Indemnitee to give such notice shall not relieve any
Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article II except
to the extent that such Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced
by such failure to give notice. Such notice shall describe such
Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail considering the Information
provided to the Indemnitee and shall indicate the amount (estimated
if necessary) of the Indemnifiable Loss that has been claimed
against or may be sustained by such Indemnitee.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (c) of this Section 2.5, an Indemnifying Party
may, by notice to the Indemnitee and to Verizon, if Idearc is the
Indemnifying Party, or to the Indemnitee and Idearc, if Verizon is
the Indemnifying Party, within thirty (30) days after receipt
by such Indemnifying Party of such Indemnitee’s notice of a
Third-Party Claim, undertake (itself or through another member of
the Group of which the Indemnifying Party is a member) the defense
or settlement of such Third-Party Claim, at such Indemnifying
Party’s own expense and by counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnitee. If an Indemnifying Party undertakes the defense of
any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall control the
investigation and defense or settlement thereof, and the Indemnitee
may not settle or compromise such Third-Party Claim without the
prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, except that such
Indemnifying Party shall not (i) require any Indemnitee,
without its prior written consent, to take or refrain from taking
any action in connection with such Third-Party Claim, or make any
public statement, which such Indemnitee reasonably
considers
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to be against its interests, or
(ii) without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee and
of Verizon, if the Indemnitee is a Verizon Indemnitee, or the
Indemnitee and of Idearc, if the Indemnitee is an Idearc
Indemnitee, consent to any settlement that does not include as a
part thereof an unconditional release of the relevant Indemnitees
from liability with respect to such Third-Party Claim or that
requires the Indemnitee or any of its Representatives or Affiliates
to make any payment that is not fully indemnified under this
Agreement or to be subject to any non-monetary remedy. Subject to
the Indemnifying Party’s control rights, as specified herein,
the Indemnitees may participate in such investigation and defense,
at their own expense. Following the provision of notices to the
Indemnifying Party, until such time as an Indemnifying Party has
undertaken the defense of any Third-Party Claim as provided herein,
such Indemnitee shall control the investigation and defense or
settlement thereof, without prejudice to its right to seek
indemnification hereunder.
(c) If an Indemnitee reasonably
determines that there may be legal defenses available to it that
are different from or in addition to those available to its
Indemnifying Party which make it inappropriate for the Indemnifying
Party to undertake the defense or settlement thereof, then such
Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to undertake the defense
or settlement of such Third-Party Claim; and counsel for the
Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to conduct the defense of such
Indemnifying Party and counsel for the Indemnitee (selected by the
Indemnitee) shall be entitled to conduct the defense of such
Indemnitee, in which case the reasonable fees, costs and expenses
of such counsel for the Indemnitee (but not more than one such
counsel (in addition to local counsel, if any) reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party) shall be paid by such
Indemnifying Party, it being understood that both such counsel
shall cooperate with each other to conduct the defense or
settlement of such action as efficiently as possible.
(d) In no event shall an
Indemnifying Party be liable for the fees and expenses of more than
one counsel for all Indemnitees (in addition to local counsel and
its own