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). 

Related News

141 Member Spotlight: Community Service in Action

141 Member Spotlight: Community Service in Action

This edition of the 141 Member Spotlight features three of our District 141 Community Service leaders so we can learn about some of the important work they are doing. The video features Noelle Sakamoto from Local Lodge 1781 in Burlingame, California, Debbie Inverno...

Chris Lusk Named District 141 Vice President, West

Chris Lusk Named District 141 Vice President, West

Chris Lusk, (shown here with daughter Shayla) is a District 141 Educator and Vice President of Local Lodge 1781. He has been named District 141 Vice President, West, by a unanimous vote of the district’s Executive Board. He previously served as a District Auditor. ...

Video Report: Tony Rodriguez is the UA EAP Chairman

Video Report: Tony Rodriguez is the UA EAP Chairman

This week on the 141 Report, we travel via zoom to Denver, Colorado for a conversation with the new District 141 United Airlines Employees Assistance Program Chairperson, Tony Rodriguez. Brother Tony takes over the position from Kathy Furgeson, who has retired.  The...

Share This