JetBlue Works To Fend Off IAM Attempt To Represent Staff By Steven Lott 06/29/2006 09:40:17 AM
JetBlue management plans to step up its employee communication and education work to fend off unions, some of which are stepping up their own work to try to represent the airline's employees.
"Some companies need unions, but we don't believe it is in our crewmembers' best interest," said Chief Operating Officer Dave Barger. Two months ago, the International Association of Machinists filed an application with the National Mediation Board to become the collective bargaining representative for ramp service workers at JetBlue. "Ramp service workers at JetBlue currently have no job security, no paid sick leave, no paid vacations and no pension," the union said at the time.
The NMB will was planning to hold a secret ballot election after an investigation confirmed the IAM filed with the required authorization cards from at least 35% of the bargaining unit. Barger told reporters in Washington yesterday that JetBlue is following NMB rules and not making any promises to employees, but he said "education is the key word."
Barger is not surprised that the unions are trying to represent JetBlue employees, considering that nearly 90% of airline workers are unionized. He noted that IAM, in particular, is being "pretty hypocritical," especially since the union objected to JetBlue's launch when the carrier was formed as New Air in 1998.
Barger expects additional unions to try to represent JetBlue employees, but the best way to fend off those groups is to take a cooperative approach with employees. "Why should crewmembers pay a third party to talk to me," he said. "Let's just sit down and talk about any concerns and solve it together."
The carrier is working hard to keep staff up on the latest news by sending out an internal note before it is released to the public. "You have to keep educating," he said.
Separately, JetBlue yesterday made the second network expansion announcement in as many days. JetBlue will start one daily flight from New York Kennedy to Tucson, Ariz., starting Sept. 28 with an Airbus A320. The carrier on Sept. 21 will start a daily flight from JFK to Sarasota, Fla. Barger said the routes are consistent with the airline's strategy of starting service on routes that are overpriced and underserved.
JetBlue management plans to step up its employee communication and education work to fend off unions, some of which are stepping up their own work to try to represent the airline's employees.
"Some companies need unions, but we don't believe it is in our crewmembers' best interest," said Chief Operating Officer Dave Barger. Two months ago, the International Association of Machinists filed an application with the National Mediation Board to become the collective bargaining representative for ramp service workers at JetBlue. "Ramp service workers at JetBlue currently have no job security, no paid sick leave, no paid vacations and no pension," the union said at the time.
The NMB will was planning to hold a secret ballot election after an investigation confirmed the IAM filed with the required authorization cards from at least 35% of the bargaining unit. Barger told reporters in Washington yesterday that JetBlue is following NMB rules and not making any promises to employees, but he said "education is the key word."
Barger is not surprised that the unions are trying to represent JetBlue employees, considering that nearly 90% of airline workers are unionized. He noted that IAM, in particular, is being "pretty hypocritical," especially since the union objected to JetBlue's launch when the carrier was formed as New Air in 1998.
Barger expects additional unions to try to represent JetBlue employees, but the best way to fend off those groups is to take a cooperative approach with employees. "Why should crewmembers pay a third party to talk to me," he said. "Let's just sit down and talk about any concerns and solve it together."
The carrier is working hard to keep staff up on the latest news by sending out an internal note before it is released to the public. "You have to keep educating," he said.
Separately, JetBlue yesterday made the second network expansion announcement in as many days. JetBlue will start one daily flight from New York Kennedy to Tucson, Ariz., starting Sept. 28 with an Airbus A320. The carrier on Sept. 21 will start a daily flight from JFK to Sarasota, Fla. Barger said the routes are consistent with the airline's strategy of starting service on routes that are overpriced and underserved.
