Message from JetBlue Ground Ops:
JetBlue Bids $3.6 Billion for Spirit; Union Representation Never More Critical
Justice at JetBlue
6 April 2022
JetBlue management yesterday announced it offered $3.6 billion to purchase Spirit Airlines. Airline mergers create many uncertainties, especially when workers do not have a contract with legally enforceable language to protect their rights.

JetBlue management will likely make many promises about what will happen if this merger with Spirit occurs. Many of these promises will center around how the merger of JetBlue and Spirit will create more competition and how workers will benefit. As history tells us, these promises, made by every airline executive after a merger, often turn out to be false.
JetBlue management will likely make many promises regarding what will happen if this merger with Spirit occurs. Many of these promises will center around how the merger of JetBlue and Spirit will create more competition and how workers will benefit. As history tells us, these promises, made by every airline executive
What’s at risk for JetBlue Crewmembers? Short answer, everything. Our jobs, wages, benefits, and working conditions can be changed at any time for any reason now and also throughout the merger/acquisition process. And, during a merger/acquisition, management teams often change, and promises made are routinely broken.
The only real way to make sure our interests are protected is by unionizing and gaining representation through this process. Once we gain IAM representation, we would enter into legally recognized negotiations to protect what we currently have and then negotiate for more.
In every IAM contract, there is strong language to protect the rights of IAM members. Such language mandates that IAM members’ contracts are recognized and respected during a merger. Wages, benefits, job protections, seniority, and working conditions are completely protected. And, when we are unionized, we would then enter into negotiations to combine workgroups and seek further gains and protections. This has occurred in every merger in which the IAM was the union.
Remember that a-cards are only valid for one year, so if you haven’t signed within the last year, renew today. We are making strong progress toward filing for a union election, so don’t delay, sign today!
Related News
Jill Hazamy Named Vice President at Large for IAM District 141
Jill Hazamy Named Vice President at Large for IAM District 141IAM141.org1 March 2025Jill Hazamy Brings Experience and Dedication to New IAM RoleJill Hazamy, a dedicated union leader at United Airlines, has been appointed IAM District 141 Vice President at Large by...
IAM District 141 Appoints Sue Weisner as Vice President, West
Sue Weisner Appointed Vice President, WestIAM141.org1 March 2025Sue Weisner Steps Up to Support IAM Members in the WestIAM District 141 President Mike Klemm has appointed longtime United Airlines leader Sue Weisner as Vice President, West, effective March 1, 2025....
United Airlines Negotiations Update for March 18, 2025
Your IAM District 141 negotiating team and United Airlines management met last week in Chicago to continue contract negotiations for seven different contracts.United Contract Negotiations Update18 March 2025 Dear Sisters and Brothers, Your IAM District 141 negotiating...