NetJets' 2800 Pilots Just Dusted Warren Buffett

[NJAowner]

So says the article in today's New York Post. "For the pilots, the key to reaching a deal was the changing leadership last year at NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots Union ...".

I guess WB wasn't available for comment because he was at home sulking from this "dusting" and dreaming of getting "dusted" like this again in a few years.

A nice PR piece submitted by union leadership. As I have said many times since the last go 'round, the PR machine should should constantly stress the NJA pilots' (union members') amazing abilities and professionalism (and that is truly said and without sarcasm). That should be the long term plan to have the support of owners - not tooting the horn of union leadership.

NOTE: The article is from the New York Post whose goal is to be partially accurate.

 

[realityman]

I haven't seen the article, but that doesn't sound at all like anything our union leadership would put out.

"New York Post"

That pretty much sums it up.

 

[NJAowner]

Based upon the tone and statements in the past articles on the subject, most (if not all) of the articles seem to have been hand fed to the reporter by/on behalf of the union.

 

[acaTerry]

The NYP is a rag.

 

[jetlag7]

Based upon the tone and statements in the past articles on the subject, most (if not all) of the articles seem to have been hand fed to the reporter by/on behalf of the union.

To what end? The vote is over, the TA ratified -- NJASAP leadership has stated the focus now is to rebuild the brand. A "story" like this does not serve that objective.

Sounds like some hack at the Post is trying to make a name for himself by taking a cheap shot at WB.

 

[gutshotdraw]

Based upon the tone and statements in the past articles on the subject, most (if not all) of the articles seem to have been hand fed to the reporter by/on behalf of the union.

I agree.

 

[NJAowner]

It serves to bolster opinion of the Union leaders. I was in a union once (Laborers International Union). In most cases the #1 goal is to perpetuate and reward union leadership - members usually come 2nd.

I agree the Post is a rag - but while it is not 100% accurate - it is usually close enough on many, many events to be given some credence. Most high level executives in the tri-state area (and beyond) for finance, law, business, sports, entertainment - all read it. It is usually close enough to point intelligent readers in the right direction - and then they can do additional due diligence. If you look at the stories in the Post, and then look at the "real news" (pick your "reputable source") weeks or months later, the Post usually pointed the reader in the right direction.

 

[Diesel]

Funny how different authors have different views.

 

[Diesel]

NetJets, the luxury aviation business at Warren Buffett?s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., just won over its pilots union, ending a dispute that?s stretched on for years.

Members of the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, which represents more than 2,700 pilots who fly for the business, voted to ratify a new contract with the company, the union said Sunday in a statement. Of the pilots who voted, more than 75 percent endorsed the agreement, the union said.

The deal included a double-digit increase in average wages, a signing bonus and a continuation of company-funded health care, among other benefits. Negotiations had been a sore spot over the past few years for Buffett, Berkshire?s billionaire chairman and chief executive officer. The pilots had sought to pressure the company by taking out newspaper ads and protesting at Berkshire?s annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.


The union filed a lawsuit against NetJets a year ago, saying that the company gained access to the pilots? private message board and snooped on their communications. NetJets has said in court filings that the message board was accessible to the public and that the lawsuit was an attempt to gain an advantage during the negotiations.

The business has given Buffett, 85, periodic headaches since he bought it for $725 million in 1998. NetJets is on its third CEO since founder Richard Santulli left in 2009 as the recession caused its customers to scale back on travel. The business, Buffett later said, ?was destined for bankruptcy, absent Berkshire?s deep pockets.?

Founded in 1964, NetJets operates hundreds of aircraft. It was a pioneer in fractional aircraft ownership, in which companies or wealthy individuals pay for a share of a plane in exchange for flight hours.

 

[gunfyter]

It's Free Trade. Both sides voluntarily agree to the deal it is by definition beneficial to both sides and both sides win. Else one side would not have agreed and would have pursued further negotiation.