Machinists Union Says Defending Workers’ Rights is the Top Priority in JetBlue-Spirit Tie-Up
Organizing
8 July 2022
JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines this morning announced that the two airlines plan to merge to create the nation’s fifth largest carrier. Spirit Airlines shareholders yesterday rejected Frontier Airlines’ bid to merge and cleared the way for JetBlue’s $3.8 billion all-cash offer to combine the two carriers.
![07_28_2022_JetBlue](https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07_28_2022_JetBlue-1.png)
“As we know from the history of airline mergers and acquisitions, top executives will promise the world to gain regulatory approval. But, when the dust is settled and approval is granted, airline workers almost always get the short end of the stick,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “The Machinists Union is the most powerful and experienced union when it comes to defending airline workers’ rights during mergers. We have done it before and we will do it again. IAM members at Spirit Airlines and future IAM members at JetBlue Airways will have their interests defended, just as every IAM member has during previous mergers.”
It’s expected that the proposed merger will face stiff regulatory approval from the Biden Administration. JetBlue already faces opposition from the Justice Department, which has sued to break up its commercial agreement with American Airlines Group Inc. The regulators allege that the partnership — which targets the New York and Boston markets — is anti-competitive.
“I want all IAM members at Spirit Airlines to know the Machinists Union will ensure your contract is enforced during this process and that your rights will be defended,” continued Johnsen. “I also want all the JetBlue Ground Operations Crewmembers to know that your campaign to gain IAM representation takes on even more importance now. It is urgent that you have a seat at the table, so you’re not on the menu.”
Related News
Spirit / JetBlue Merger Statement
Spirit / JetBlue Merger Statement28 July 2022 To our Sisters and Brothers of Spirit Airlines, This morning, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced plans to merge to create the nation's fifth largest carrier. Spirit Airlines shareholders yesterday rejected...
“CONTRACT NOW!” Union Solidarity Actions Around the Nation As Talks Stall
CONTRACT NOW!: Machinists Union Members at Sister San Francisco Local Lodges 1781 and 1782 Member Appreciation Solidarity Day pose with Contract Now! signs. Talks with United Airlines have stalled over the issue of job security, according to union negotiators. In...
Machinists Advocate for Middle-Class Jobs, Trade Adjustment Assistance at Global Supply Chain Forum
Machinists Advocate for Middle-Class Jobs, Trade Adjustment Assistance at Global Supply Chain ForumLegislative Goals25 July 2022Since late 2021, the economy has suffered debilitating setbacks primarily due to wrinkles in the global supply chain. As a result, President...