Machinists Union Demands Answers to JetBlue’s Potential Misuse of Taxpayer-Funded Airline Aid
Justice at JetBlue
13 April 2022
The IAM is seeking answers to JetBlue’s possible misuse of funds from the Payroll Support Program (PSP), a component of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
In 2020, as a response to the destruction of demand for air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act. The legislation, which included the PSP, provided approximately $50 billion in aid for U.S. airlines and mandated that the carriers not engage in involuntary layoffs, cut the salaries or reduce the benefits of airline workers.
JetBlue Airways received approximately $2 billion in aid, with most of it coming in the form of taxpayer-funded grants that do not have to be repaid. However, as they took the government funds, JetBlue management cut the working hours of its employees, which consequently cut their pay and benefits.
“We believe what JetBlue did was wrong,” said Richard Johnsen, IAM Chief of Staff to the International President. “JetBlue cut the salaries of thousands of ground workers by at least 20 percent. These are frontline, essential workers who risked their lives coming to work during the height of the pandemic when no vaccine was available. They’re heroes in my book and deserve to be repaid with interest by JetBlue executives.”
The IAM’s Transportation and Legislative Departments are in communication with government officials to get specific answers to specific questions.
“JetBlue just came up with $3.6 billion to buy Spirit Airlines last week,” continued Johnsen. “Some of that money needs to be put back in the pockets of JetBlue workers and not used to shower money on greedy airline executives and shareholders.”
The IAM is the largest airline union in North America and represents over 600,000 members.
Related News
IAM Awards Scholarships at Aviation High School Graduation
IAM Awards Scholarships at Aviation High School GraduationService to the Community11 July 2022Aviation High School recently held its annual graduation ceremony, the first in-person event since the pandemic. 480 students received their high school diploma, with many...
Lodge 811’s Ongoing Commitment to Community: Toy Drive for Pediatric Cancer Patients
Home Town Pride: Lodge 811 Continues A Long-Standing Commitment to Community Service with Annual Toy Drive for Pediatric Cancer PatientsCommitment To the Community: Local 811 Toy Drive for Pediatric Cancer PatientsService to the Community11 July 2022Local Lodge 811’s...
JetBlue Union Organizing Effort Heats Up
Tristan "Lion" Dutchin (center, light brown shirt) was instrumental in the historic campaign to bring union rights to the Amazon Staten Island Facility, the first such victory in the history of the trillion-dollar company.. He is lending his insights and support to...