Letter from JetBlue Crewmembers: JetBlue Outsourcing at LGA and BOS – What’s Next?

Letter from JetBlue Crewmembers: JetBlue Outsourcing at LGA and BOS – What’s Next?

Jul 12, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2

Primeflight supervisor working in LGA bagroom, June 11 2022. JetBlue is moving it’s assets in LGA to Terminal B in preparation for it’s ‘de-facto merger’ with American Airlines. JetBlue is also seeking to merge with Spirit Airlines in a hostile takeover. JetBlue, as an airline, will be undergoing big changes very soon. What will this mean for the company’s non-union workforces?

JetBlue to Outsource LGA Bagroom and BOS International Gates. What’s Next?

Organizing
12 July 2022
Written by Ground Operations Crewmembers Organizers

JetBlue GO Crewmembers from LGA and BOS have reported that JetBlue management is currently planning to outsource GO Crewmembers’ work in the LGA bagroom and the BOS International gates.

The natural question is: What’s next?

Without a legally binding union contract, JetBlue management can outsource GO Crewmembers’ work whenever and wherever it wants. This is work that provides GO Crewmembers with overtime opportunities or work areas to bid that are preferred by JetBlue GO Crewmembers. And, nothing prevents JetBlue management from outsourcing entire stations, or significant portions of work areas, if they so choose.
This is especially troubling as JetBlue management is pushing very hard for a merger with Spirit Airlines. The reality is that if/when a merger occurs, JetBlue GO Crewmembers have no idea who will run the combined carrier and what their commitment to GO Crewmembers will be.

Airline executives have a long history of saying one thing to get a merger approved and then doing the exact opposite after the merger is finalized.

The only way WE can protect ourselves and our careers is to form a union and negotiate a legally binding contract that protects and respects the work we do.

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JetBlue Union Organizing Effort Heats Up

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JetBlue Union Organizing Effort Heats Up

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Jul 8, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

Tristan “Lion” Dutchin (center, light brown shirt) was instrumental in the historic campaign to bring union rights to the Amazon Staten Island Facility, the first such victory in the history of the trillion-dollar company.. He is lending his insights and support to JetBlue Ground Operations Crew members currently organizing with the Machinists Union!
Tristan is shown here with GVP Richard Johnsen (center, blue shirt) District 141 President Mike Klemm (center, dark shirt), and a team of Machinist Union Organizers. Photos: Brian Vega, IAMAW 141 Communications Coordinator

JetBlue Union Organizing Heats Up in Wake of Historic Union Victories

Organizing
8 July 2022

A recent spate of high-profile union victories is inspiring union organizers at JetBlue, according to Ground Operations Crewmembers, at an appreciation rally this week at JFK airport in New York.

The event was hosted by the Machinists Union, which Ground Crews at JetBlue are seeking to join. The Machinists include ground and gate agents, flight crews, and other air transport workers at every airline and large airport in the country. 

Headlining the rally was Tristan “Lion” Dutchin, one of the lead organizers at Amazon’s Staten Island facility that became the first property at the trillion-dollar corporation to unionize. 

“I wanted to come out and show support for what Ground Ops are trying to do,” said Dutchin. “It’s not easy. Really, organizing with a union is impossible until suddenly it’s not,” he said. “There’s a lot a company like JetBlue or Apple or Amazon can do to mess you up,” he continued. 

As one of the lead organizers at Amazon, Dutchin saw firsthand how far companies are willing to go to stop a union drive. “They hired people to go work and pose as real employees,” he said. “When really their only job was to spy on us and badmouth unions,” he explained. “That fooled a lot of us for a while until we caught on to what they were doing.”

A central union-busting talking point at Amazon was to portray unions as “outsiders” and “third parties,” an argument that Dutchin laughed off. “I’m a third party now just because I joined a union?” He asked mockingly. “Ain’t no third parties. Sometimes they act like they don’t even know what a union is,” he said of Amazon’s anti-union efforts.

The union that Dutchin helped found, the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), is aggressively building itself up, growing, and educating its membership about union activism. An essential part of that effort includes outreach to other labor groups and participating in high-profile union drives like the ongoing campaign at JetBlue.

Richard Johnsen, General Vice President of the Machinists’ newly formed Air Transport Territory, expressed optimism that the Machinists and the ALU could forge a strong alliance. “We are more than just unions,” said Johnsen. “We’re also part of a movement. People are tired of sitting on the sidelines. They want to act, they want to make changes. That’s why this campaign at JetBlue is so exciting; it’s a vital part of a larger movement to prove that working people deserve just as much respect as managers and executives.”

Johnsen also pledged to work closely with the ALU, including hammering out a potential agreement to open the renowned Winpisinger Education Center to ALU members. “The Winpisinger Center is the largest labor school in North America,” he said. “It has an expert teaching staff that holds classes on things that matter to unions. Things like contract negotiations, leadership training, arbitration, organizing and more. It’ll be a great asset to JetBlue Crewmembers once they come on board, and I hope that ALU members will look into the opportunity to find out more about the Winpisinger Center.”

Machinists held the rally to showcase union organizing at the airline and recognize Ground crews currently working towards joining the Machinists Union. According to event organizers, the demonstration drew about a hundred JetBlue Crewmembers, many of whom participated in a raffle, were served an assortment of food items, and signed union authorization cards. Union authorization cards are critical to earning union rights at the workplace. More than half of employees must sign a card petitioning the federal government to recognize a union vote. Once a vote is scheduled, employees will then get a chance to formally join a union.

While JetBlue has thus far managed to avoid a union vote among Ground Crewmembers, Machinists Union organizers say that the campaign is getting very close to reaching its target of “50% +1” for card signing.

“We are very close,” said Machinists Union District President Mike Klemm. “The mood has changed. The rate of card signing is way up. People are asking questions, and we’ll be here to give our Ground Operations Crewmembers all the resources they need,” Klemm said.

“Importantly,” he continued, “we have the best union organizers in the nation working on this from our end. They’re working side by side with Crewmembers at JetBlue, who are organizing on the inside. Altogether, I am incredibly proud of this team. I know we’re going to get this done,” he said.

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Negotiations Limp Along as Self-Imposed August 1st Deadline Approaches

Negotiations Limp Along as Self-Imposed August 1st Deadline Approaches

Jun 24, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Row 2, Uncategorized, United

Negotiations Limp Along as Self-Imposed August 1st Deadline Approaches

 

24 June 2022

This week, IAM District 141 and United Airlines management continued negotiations in Chicago, IL. We continue to be frustrated with the pace of the talks. We are doubtful we will reach the mutually agreed upon, self-imposed deadline of August 1, 2022, to reach tentative agreements for approximately 25,000 IAM-represented workers at United Airlines.

This week’s talks focused on the many facets of Article 2 Job Security and LOA 9, Article 4 Hours of Service, Article 9, Investigations, Grievances and Arbitration, and the vital quality of work/life issues of mandatory overtime and outage relief. While we did make some marginal progress, we still do not have agreement from United management that our job security and scope of work will be at the very least equal to what we have presently. This is very concerning at this stage of the expedited negotiations process.

In other news, this past Wednesday, IAM District 142 announced tentative agreements with Alaska Airlines on a two-year contract extension, which provides industry-leading pay rates that range between 9-17 percent. The tentative agreements cover over 5,000 IAM-represented ramp, customer service, stores, and office and clerical employees. The top-of-scale wage rate is $34 per hour, and the starting rate is $18.50.

Click here to view the Alaska COPS TA.

Click here to view the Alaska Ramp TA.

IAM-represented United Airlines workers in similar classifications earn approximately 10 percent above that of Alaska Airlines workers at the top of the scale. This is due to United being over five times the size of Alaska Airlines. This is welcome news for our contract talks as a rising tide lifts all boats, and United Airlines is poised to report record-breaking revenue generation for the second quarter of 2022.

Make no mistake; if United Airlines management believes it can stick its head in the sand regarding what is currently happening and what has already been negotiated at other carriers, it is sorely mistaken. Our only goal for IAM members at United Airlines is the best contract in the airline industry in all areas.  

Negotiations will continue July 13-15 and the week of July 25.

In solidarity,

Your District 141 Negotiating Committee

Olu Ajetomobi
Joe Bartz
Victor Hernandez
Barb Martin
Andrea’ Myers
Terry Stansbury
Faysal Silwany
Erik Stenberg
Sue Weisner

Michael G. Klemm

President & Directing General Chair,
IAMAW District 141
#LGR

Recording Secretaries: Please print and post on all IAMAW bulletin boards.

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Machinists Union Negotiates $34/Hour at Alaska Airlines

Machinists Union Negotiates $34/Hour at Alaska Airlines

Jun 22, 2022 | Front Page, GOIAM Stories, JetBlue, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

Machinists Union Reaches Historic Deal at Alaska Airlines

Justice at JetBlue
22 June 2022

Machinists Union Reaches Historic, Industry-Leading Tentative Agreement Extension for 5,300 Members at Alaska Airlines

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has reached a tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines that, for the first time in the carrier’s history, will put approximately 5,300 Alaska Airlines workers at the top of the airline industry’s pay scale.

The tentative agreement extension covers IAM members who work in Ramp, Stores, Clerical, Office and Passenger Service at the carrier. Alaska Airlines hubs include Anchorage, Alaska; Seattle-Tacoma; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco; and Los Angeles.

If ratified by IAM members at Alaska Airlines, the four-year contract would:

  • Raise base wage rates for all classifications to between 8.9% and 17.4% on Aug. 10, 2022.
  • Further raise all base wages rates for all classifications by 2.5% on Aug. 10, 2023
  • Base wage rate will also increase a minimum of 2.5% on Aug. 10, 2024 and Aug. 10 2025, subject to an industry review.
  • In 2024 and 2025, the agreement calls for an industry review, which will give employees a minimum 2.5% base wage rate or the percentage required to match the top of the scale as the No. 4 airline, whichever is greater.
  • No changes to strong existing medical and other benefits.
  • Longevity pay increases starting after year 6 at 5 cents per hour, and topping out after year 12 and beyond at 35 cents per hour.
  • Strong existing job security language extended until Sept. 27, 2028.

Read full highlights of the tentative agreement here.

IAM members at Alaska Airlines will vote on the tentative agreements in the coming weeks. IAM representatives will also hold contract educational meetings at locations across the country.

“The IAM’s tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines is historic for our union, the carrier, and the entire airline industry,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “IAM members have built Alaska Airlines into a perennial top-performing airline, and now, they have an industry-leading contract to vote on that rewards their dedication, skill, and sacrifice.”

“The IAM’s negotiating committee at Alaska Airlines has put in countless hours of hard work obtaining this tentative agreement,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John Coveny. “From our leadership to our membership and everyone in between, this tentative agreement is the result of our union’s strength and solidarity.”

“As the largest air transport labor union in North America, our membership knows that they have the strength of the entire IAM at the bargaining table,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “We are proud to present this industry-leading tentative agreement to our hard-working IAM membership at Alaska Airlines.”

“I could not be more proud of the IAM negotiating committee and our membership,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “We look forward to speaking to IAM members at Alaska Airlines from coast to coast about this industry-leading, historic contract.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is the largest and most powerful airline union in North America, representing more than 100,000 air transport members in North America. The IAM is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

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JetBlue Ups its Bid for Spirit: Now $3.7 BILLION

JetBlue Ups its Bid for Spirit: Now $3.7 BILLION

Jun 22, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

Up, Up and Away; JetBlue Management
Again Ups its Bid for Spirit: Now $3.7 BILLION

Justice at JetBlue
22 June 2022

Washington, June 16, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) applauds the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for approving the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 7321). 

JetBlue management yesterday once again upped its bid to $3.7 BILLION to merge with Spirit Airlines. This is approximately 68% more than the Frontier offer.

You read that right, yes, 68% more.

JetBlue management is totally obsessed with merging with Spirit, and it appears no price is too high.

Management previously cut the summer flight schedule by about 10 percent due to staffing concerns. JetBlue could be investing much more in its people to retain workers that we need and attract new workers, which we also need. But, it seems management is more concerned with merging with Spirit, even as many economists predict a slowing economy
due to rising interest rates to battle inflation.

The tough questions are:

(1) Could this money be utilized more wisely?

(2) Is the total obsession with merging with Spirit good for us?

Management has claimed it will divest routes in the Northeast and gates in FLL. Without a union contract to protect our interests in a merger, we are certainly at risk and that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

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Jun 4, 2022 | Front Page, JetBlue, Organizing, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2, Uncategorized

The Fly is About to Have a Direct Relationship With A Swatter

Justice at JetBlue
4 June 2022

A recent misleading flyer by JetBlue management claims that the “direct relationship” between JetBlue management and Crewmembers is the best way to “soar highest.” The flyer points to five things as examples of the “benefits” of the “direct relationship.” 

(1) “No fee representation”: Of course, this is at the top of management’s list.
FACT: AT JETBLUE, WE DON’T HAVE REPRESENTATION, SO THAT’S WHY WE DON’T PAY A “FEE.” GO CREWMEMBERS WILL NOT PAY A SINGLE PENNY IN UNION DUES UNTIL GO CREWMEMBERS NEGOTIATE AND VOTE IN A CONTRACT. CURRENTLY, GO CREWMEMBERS DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE OR VOTE ON ANY TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

(2) “Compensation review every two years”:
FACT: THE REALITY IS, MANAGEMENT 100 % CONTROLS THE “REVIEW” PROCESS. GO CREWMEMBERS HAVE NO RIGHT TO VOTE ON WAGE RATES, BENEFITS, OR ANY WORKING CONDITIONS. MANAGEMENT IS FREE TO DO WHATEVER IT WANTS AND EITHER GO CREWMEMBERS ACCEPT IT OR LEAVE THE COMPANY.

(3) “Job Protection”: This one is pretty funny.
FACT: LEGALLY, GO CREWMEMBERS HAVE ZERO JOB SECURITY. MANAGEMENT CAN AND DOES OUTSOURCE OUR WORK. IF WE HAVE A PROBLEM AT WORK, WE HAVE NOBODY TO BACK US UP. WE CAN BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON.

(4) “Open door policy and Crewmember appeals process”:
FACT: IN A UNIONIZED WORKPLACE, ANY EMPLOYEE CAN BRING THEIR CONCERNS TO MANAGEMENT. THE UNION DIFFERENCE IS IF WE DON’T LIKE THE ANSWER WE RECEIVE WE CAN APPEAL THE DECISION THROUGH A LEGALLY BINDING, CONTRACTUAL PROCESS IN WHICH A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR ISSUES THE DECISION. REGARDING JETBLUE’S “APPEALS PROCESS”, MANAGEMENT AGAIN CONTROLS 100% OF THE DECISION.

(5) “Seniority Protections”:
FACT: WITHOUT A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT, WE DO NOT HAVE SENIORITY PROTECTIONS OR LEGALLY BINDING RULES ON HOW SENIORITY IS EXERCISED, ACCRUED, OR RETAINED. JETBLUE MANAGEMENT CAN CHANGE THE “BLUE BOOK” WHENEVER IT WANTS. THE ONLY THING THAT WILL PROTECT US IN A MERGER IS A LEGALLY BINDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (CONTRACT). 

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