JetBlue anti-union rhetoric

[B6Busdriver]

And so it begins..............

JetBlue CEO wary on union push, eyes more partners
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SINGAPORE (MarketWatch) -- The head of JetBlue Airways Corp. JBLU -2.11% said Monday that its business model could be challenged by efforts to unionize its pilots because of the knock-on effects on its corporate culture.

The U.S. airline was notified last week that the Air Line Pilots' Association is seeking an election among its 2,300 nonunion flight crew over representation.

"This clearly threatens our model," said Dave Barger, JetBlue's chief executive, in an interview on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association, the industry's global trade group.Barger said unionization could lead to "a huge cultural change to our company".

JetBlue pilots rejected a unionization effort in 2009, but ALPA last year began a drive, claiming union representation would bring flight crew guaranteed rights and a host of other benefits.

The prospect of a forced change to its labor relations comes as the 10-year old airline--which is entirely union free--starts developing its strategy beyond 2016. "We should not preclude looking at larger aircraft," said Barger, who oversees a fleet of Airbus A320-family planes alongside Embraer E190s.

JetBlue has developed from its domestic roots, and a quarter of its business is now derived from international flights to the Caribbean and Latin America.

Barger said he is particularly interested in the potential of the re-engined A321 plane which--equipped with winglets to boost performance--would allow it to fly deeper into South America from its main base at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, or from Florida or San Juan.

JetBlue's position at JFK--the largest U.S. international gateway--has enhanced its attractiveness as a partner for other airlines despite remaining outside the three main global industry groupings.

It has links with nine carriers--including part-owner Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DLA.XE), American Airlines, Emirates Airline and Aer Lingus--and Barger said deals with two more are in the works.

 

[B6Busdriver]

Also in a letter to the pilots Dave said........."I believe the very future of our company is at stake with this potential election."

 

[brokeflyer]

there is a reason a union shows up....and it's a direct result of how a company is managed.

 

[PCL_128]

How ironic. He's attacking representation for pilots while he's at an IATA meeting, an organization that handles representation for the airlines themselves. I guess Barger believes that only management is deserving of representation, not labor.

 

[CA1900]

Also in a letter to the pilots Dave said........."I believe the very future of our company is at stake with this potential election."

I've believe that's Canned Statement #18 in the Ford & Harrison union-avoidance playbook.

 

[BentOver]

What's next..random blogs and facebook pages..oh and twitter accounts....wait that be childish

 

[AKAAB]

"I believe the very future of our company is at stake with this potential election."

.
.

I believe the very future of my career is at stake without this potential election.

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

.
.

I believe the very future of my career is at stake without this potential election.

From a unionized carrier post:

Bedford says they are "near the top of the payscale". Oh really Mr. Bedford? Then how do you explain the fact that a Captain at JetBlue flying an E-190 makes more money per hour then your captain, first officer, and 2 flights attendants combined do flying the EXACT same plane!? Oh wait, it's not the quite the exact same plane, your planes only have 99 seats instead of 100.... and remember why that is?... that's right, you had your maintenance works literally take a seat out of the plane just to sidestep the pilot's contract and force them to fly these planes for peanuts! Maybe it's time to pick up a book on business ethics

I can't wait for "industry standard".... and how management will fight us every step of the way during our initial contract negotiations-- AND THEY WILL!!!

 

[LearLove]

"This clearly threatens our model," said Dave Barger, JetBlue's chief executive

translation: Management may not be able to stuff their pockets full with a union on the property - only 3/4 full.

 

[B6Busdriver]

"This clearly threatens our model," said Dave Barger, JetBlue's chief executive

translation: Management may not be able to stuff their pockets full with a union on the property - only 3/4 full.

AMEN,amen, and amen!

 

[B6Busdriver]

From a unionized carrier post:

Bedford says they are "near the top of the payscale". Oh really Mr. Bedford? Then how do you explain the fact that a Captain at JetBlue flying an E-190 makes more money per hour then your captain, first officer, and 2 flights attendants combined do flying the EXACT same plane!? Oh wait, it's not the quite the exact same plane, your planes only have 99 seats instead of 100.... and remember why that is?... that's right, you had your maintenance works literally take a seat out of the plane just to sidestep the pilot's contract and force them to fly these planes for peanuts! Maybe it's time to pick up a book on business ethics

I can't wait for "industry standard".... and how management will fight us every step of the way during our initial contract negotiations-- AND THEY WILL!!!

Honestly, do you think you have industry standard pay and benefits?

 

[House_X]

"This clearly threatens our model," said Dave Barger, JetBlue's chief executive

translation: Management may not be able to stuff their pockets full with a union on the property - only 3/4 full.

I know your anti-ALPA but JB is NOT MDA...so please stop comparing. US Air sold MDA to Republic, ALPA did not screw you out of a job...

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

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... 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!!!

 

[B6Busdriver]

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... 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!!!

No this proves our management can and will do anything they want when they want to. What is the worst thing that could have happened? The company could have fixed the documents and given them to us. If the election failed then ALPA could try and protest the results. Instead our beloved benevolent dictators take the chicken doo doo way of doing things. Again jetBlue management has show their true colors and have proven to be the best advertisement for ALPA. Way to go Dave!

 

[mejorgy]

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... 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!!!

All due respect: What are you implying??? Alpa did this!!! You are essentially blaming ME and other JB Pilots ( I am on the OC) for the actions of the ELT to suspend the 5 Document goat rope! PLEASE................ Our Executive Leadership should be focusing on far bigger fish to fry than this campaign. Why don`t you BLAME our foolish and inept management for allowing this campaign to reach maturity. Barger and company had their opportunity to correct the issues presented to them. Take your gripes up with them, not your Jet Blue Comrades.

 

[Fins Up]

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... 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!!!

Wow. You really bought into Rob's email. The 5 docs would be a threat to a union drive? There is nothing they could or would do in any of the documents that will make me feel protected. Remember, the company is trying to argue that we can use contract protections collectively in one paragraph, but not in another. I'm not even a lawyer and I could rip that to shreds. I think I'm more afraid of company lawyers being on my side of the table than the other side.

 

[sbav8r]

Wow. You really bought into Rob's email. The 5 docs would be a threat to a union drive? There is nothing they could or would do in any of the documents that will make me feel protected. Remember, the company is trying to argue that we can use contract protections collectively in one paragraph, but not in another. I'm not even a lawyer and I could rip that to shreds. I think I'm more afraid of company lawyers being on my side of the table than the other side.

That's all ALPA has to offer; A false sense of security against outside forces they have no control over.

 

[Ty Webb]

Wow . . . . the roaches really come out into the open, and scurry about wildly when they hear the dreaded cards start circulating. :laugh:

We had the same thing at AAI duing our ALPA vote. Guys who hadn't said "boo" since about 1989 were suddenly all over our message boards, predicting that if ALPA prevailed, every plague would descend upon us, from leeches to brimstone.

Of course, none of it came true, and then they all scuttled back under their rocks and were never heard of again . . . . they had done their job, and appeased their puppetmasters.

 

[B6Busdriver]

That's all ALPA has to offer. A false sense of security against outside forces they have no control over.

Enlighten us. Almost 9 years of the direct relationship is enough! I've been ALPA twice before and hopefully a third time soon!

 

[sbav8r]

Enlighten us. Almost 9 years of the direct relationship is enough! I've been ALPA twice before and hopefully a third time soon!

This company, this industry, and even Dave himself don't owe me a thing! If this company fails, I fall to illness, or I screw up, it's my responsibility. ALPA will not save my job, or my career, nor do I expect them to. It's nobody's responsibility to take control of my future other than myself, therefore; I plan accordingly. ALPA is not some messiah that will save me from outside forces, and they've proven that in recent years with conccessionary contracts, continued outsourcing of flying, and bad merger outcomes. I don't blame ALPA for these things; however, I realize that they can't protect me from them any more than they protected USAir, Midwest, TWA...