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
141 Report: Safety Director for Hawaiian Airlines, Ku’ulei McGuire
141 Report: Safety Director for Hawaiian Airlines, Ku'ulei McGuireYouTube 4 Februrary 2022 Sister Ku'ulei McGuire joins the 141 Report from Honolulu Hawaii as she talks about her new position as IAM District 141 Safety Director at Hawaiian Airlines. Podcast Host...
The 2022 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest is NOW OPEN!
The 2022 Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest is NOW OPEN!Education1 February 2022Thousands of dollars in scholarship money will go out. Union members and their families can compete for $8,000 in scholarship money through the 2022 Adolph Stutz Memorial...
February Helping Hands: Healthy Relationships
EAP Directors: Healthy relationships don’t look the same for everyone since people have different needs. Each partner's specific needs around communication, affection, space, shared hobbies, values, and so on may change throughout life. A relationship that works in...