JBLU Management Answers Back

[B6Busdriver]

When United-Continental and Delta-Northwest pilots leave and form their own in-house unions (and they will, it only makes sense with the $$$$millions they keep to themselves), what will ALPA look like then? What will our dues look like to keep up with their fixed costs? Who will be left? ALPA had their own employees strike against them... Great organization!!!

Our model at JBLU has worked for 12 years. It is unique. It is not perfect. But not one pilot here has lost his job to a furlough. Not one pilot has been asked to give back any pay. How many unionized carriers can state that fact? Heck Airtran, Spirit, Alaska, American, United, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Mesa, and a host of others HAVE furloughed... I look at facts... And I'll be the first to laugh at the furloughs we have under ALPA... Furlough clause or not (DALPA)... You can take that to the bank-- FACTS not rumors or speculations...

I hate to break it to you buddy, but Santa isn't real and neither is the Easter Bunny.

 

[$$$4nothin]

4 They can amend anything they want when they want it.

I am reffering more so to when will ALPA start negotiations, regarding a new contract.

 

[tico]

Amen. This is the crux of the matter. ALPA haters point to the National office when pilots get poor contracts. In fact, all National can do is ADVISE individual MECs on the proper path to take.

In virtually all cases where a pilot group has experienced a bad outcome it was the LOCAL MEC who made a decision that was at odds with National advice.

B6 pilots and ALPA pilots in general need to commit your last three lines to memory. Elect a bunch of self-righteous, egotistical slugs and what do you get? USAPA.

Or the contract you voted for in 2009....

 

[Fubijaakr]

Or the contract 85% voted for in 2009....

Fixed it for you.

 

[DonVerita]

You do have some good points. I am very anti union (anti Teamsters to be exact) at the moment...

Really? Let me say that again...Really!!

Do you think trade unionism is something you just turn on/off "at the moment"? You belong to a trucker's union and are now anti-union because you are dismayed with their results. What did you expect would happen with that level of representation? Why isn't your airline part of an airline union?

 

[waveflyer]

When United-Continental and Delta-Northwest pilots leave and form their own in-house unions (and they will, it only makes sense with the $$$$millions they keep to themselves), what will ALPA look like then? What will our dues look like to keep up with their fixed costs? Who will be left? ALPA had their own employees strike against them... Great organization!!!

Our model at JBLU has worked for 12 years. It is unique. It is not perfect. But not one pilot here has lost his job to a furlough. Not one pilot has been asked to give back any pay. How many unionized carriers can state that fact? Heck Airtran, Spirit, Alaska, American, United, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Mesa, and a host of others HAVE furloughed... I look at facts... And I'll be the first to laugh at the furloughs we have under ALPA... Furlough clause or not (DALPA)... You can take that to the bank-- FACTS not rumors or speculations...

First- sounds like form memo #1 on Ford & Harrison's mainframe. Bet it's in the welcome packet when the company puts them on retainer. "....if your pilots file w/ the NMB, send out this memo, then give us a call and we'll talk strategy...."
It's so Groundhog Day, it's pathetic anyone would be taken in by it.

2nd- BlueBayou, why would you ignore the fact that southwest is the most heavily unionized airline in the world?
If your mgmt is so great, they would not hesitate to put your contract in writing in an NMB/RLA enforceable way.

3rd- I agree with the air tran posters before. I have been critical of ALPA- and I have a healthy amount of skepticism of ALPA going fwd on the SLI w/ Swapa. I love our in-house union, but Alpa is not and cannot be our enemy- They are, hands-down, the best choice you can make with your mgmt team being who they are, and at the size and wages of your pilot group. You need their resources and we all need a well represented strong Jblu pilot group.
And a +1 on the strong LEC/MEC members. This most likely means those who do not want to run- ought to, and ought to be elected. A culture of service and sacrifice will serve you better than the political career track unions often lend themselves to.


Now, TO ANY JBLU PILOT- who negotiates for you now??

 

[Dan Roman]

Well said Wave. SWAPA has done a great job and I think we all agree having enlightened management has not hurt their cause at all. The whole industry could learn from them.
ALPA is an excellent resource for anyone who has to deal with the kind of shenanigans that started this thread.
It would take a long time for an independent union to get to the level of expertise that both SWAPA and ALPA have attained.

 

[My Man SMITH!]

JetBlue pilots-

Please try to ignore the pro-management kool-aid drinkers amongst your ranks. They fall into 2 sub-categories:

A - I've got mine screw everyone else, don't rock the boat 'cause I'm senior and will be retireing soon.
B- - The apathetic, excuse-ridden, scared little mice afraid of their own shadow and of standing up for themselves.

Disagree. After the first failed drive a majority of the 320 guys were upset with the rate changes to the 190. Second, after the spike in oil which resulted in the bid divisors being lowered we heard the vocal group tout against it and wanting the company to furlough. That's real nice. This would be granted under third party representation. I personally want what is best for this pilot group while keeping it a great place to work.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

Congratulations ALPA drive organizers. Your JB management has now suspended our 5 amendments to our PEA contracts. These improvements were within weeks of being achieved and would have been additional items on the negotiating table for our first contract if we went the ALPA route... Instead, ALPA filed at the worst possible time to the NMB.

This action has proved two things. One, that ALPA, before we are even members of the organization, has already screwed up for us. And two, that for those who think this JB management team will be amicable negotiators across the table from us, you're living in a dream world!!!

I've got some crater front property on the moon I'd like to sell you! It blows my mind how guys fall for management's union busting tactics. I've never been a cheerleader for any union, but in this industry, it's a necessity. Management can and will do whatever the bottom line dictates. The 5 core values upon which this company was founded are gone. It's time for the pilot group to bring back the values and make this place a career destination. Management has shown it's true colors. This time, they will deal with one collective voice.....a voice chosen by the pilots instead of management. If management decides not to bargain in good faith, then that is simply a reflection of their true nature.

Together, JetBlue ALPA and the ELT can make this a great place to work. Management has their own representation. It is our legal right to have our own representation as well.

Pro JetBlue
Pro Union
Vote ALPA!

 

[waveflyer]

I think this ? always gets lost in the rest of my commentary-

Who represents and negotiates for JBlu now? And how did it form and who gets to serve in it?