IAM Files for Union Representation Election for Approximately 3,000 JetBlue Ground Workers
23 September 2022
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2022 — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), North America’s largest airline union, today announced that it will file an application with the National Mediation Board (NMB), the federal agency that conducts union representation elections in the airline and railroad sectors. The IAM has sufficient interest among JetBlue Fleet Service workers to conduct a union representation election.
“I congratulate all JetBlue Ground Operations workers for uniting in solidarity and demanding that a union representation election be conducted,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “It’s been a long road for these brave workers to get to this point, and the IAM stands shoulder to shoulder with them. We will mobilize our union’s significant resources to ensure that these brave and resilient JetBlue workers have a fair and free election.”
JetBlue Ground Operations workers rebooted their efforts to gain union representation in 2021 after working through the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the worst financial downturn in the airline industry’s history.
“It’s high time that JetBlue workers gain the dignity and respect of a union contract, and a strong voice on the job,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “When our country needed essential goods and services to where they were needed most during the pandemic, JetBlue workers answered the bell and risked their lives and health to make that happen. What did they get from management? They got their hours and pay cut because they didn’t have a seat at the table. That will end very soon.”
“I also fully expect for JetBlue management to adhere to the law and allow JetBlue workers to vote without influence, coercion and interference from JetBlue management. If not, we will leave no stone unturned to hold them accountable,” continued Johnsen.
JetBlue workers have cited below-standard industry pay rates and benefits, poor and unsafe working conditions, unjustified discipline and terminations, among many other issues as reasons to gain IAM representation and a seat at the table.
“JetBlue workers are a smart, strong and determined group of workers and we can’t wait to welcome them into the IAM family,” said IAM District 141 President Mike Klemm. “The IAM will support JetBlue workers in getting to and winning this election and negotiating a union contract that reflects their true value to JetBlue Airways.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 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.
Get Printable Copy of Press Release >>
Related: We Filed: What’s Next? >>
Machinists Union Advocacy: More Funding for More Jobs
[supsystic-social-sharing id='3']The Machinists Non Partisan Political League seeks to advance public policy that benefits airline and aerospace workers. To support the work of the MNPL, please consider recurring, automatic donations of any amount today. Click Here to...
District 141 Board Appoints Two New Officers
[supsystic-social-sharing id='3']The IAMAW District 141 Executive Board voted unanimously to appoint Derrick Monk to the position of District Trustee and named Tony Colina District Vice President At-Large, effective January 1. District President Mike Klemm announced...
A Girl, a Scholarship, and a Dream
The IAMAW Scholarship Competition is open each year to members of the IAM and their children throughout the United States and Canada under procedures and rules of eligibility explained in this Announcement. The IAM Scholarship Fund, which is used exclusively to make...
2022: A Year of Service to the Community
I hope you are all doing well and that 2022 brings you blessings. Staying safe and healthy is first and foremost. The uptick of the new Covid variant has made some of the work you all do more challenging, and know that remaining healthy and safe is a priority. We had...
141 Report: Union Strong Sister in Hawaii
IAM District Lodge 141 Report with Host Dave Lehive is a weekly podcast featuring Machinist Union Members and Allies of the Labor Movement. Our Video report airs every Friday at 2:00 PM EST (1:00 CST) on Facebook and Youtube and is also on Spotify. This week's 141...
Hawaiian Airlines Negotiations Update
Hawaiian Airlines Negotiations Update 11 December 2021 Aloha sisters and brothers at Hawaiian Airlines, On Friday, December 10, 2021, your joint negotiations committee met in Chicago to discuss the outstanding issues remaining from our last negotiations session in Las...
Related News
Union Alliance forms at United
Union members at United Airlines turn their backs on Scott Kirby at the airlines' board meeting in Houston. Union Alliance Forged at UnitedUnion Alliance Forged at UnitedIAM141.org7 December 2022Over three hundred United Airlines pilots, fleet and customer service...
No Thanks, No Giving. United Negotiations Update
No Thanks, No Giving3 December 2022 IAM District 141 and United Airlines management met in Orlando, Florida, this week and continued contract negotiations. Both parties remain very far apart on the most vital issues: job security and wages. United management's refusal...
JetBlue Ground Workers to Vote for Machinists Union
JetBlue Ground Workers to Vote for Machinists UnionJustice at JetBlueFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 29, 2022, WASHINGTON DC—The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced that the National Mediation Board (NMB), the federal...