NJASAP Files For Mediation In Contract Dispute With Buffett's NetJets

Management's concessionary agenda continues to prevent meaningful progress

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NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP)

Apr 07, 2015, 03:12 ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Minimal progress during more than 22 months of direct negotiations prompted the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) Friday to file an application for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB). NJASAP represents the professional interests of the 2,700-plus pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary (BRK.A and BRK.B).

Despite having an option to extend the pilot contract, NetJets management chose to engage NJASAP in contract negotiations, and, since that time, has presented Union Negotiators with a variety of concessionary proposals that seek to reduce compensation, benefits, and working conditions as well as to diminish job protection language and fundamental union member rights.

"While some progress has been made, company negotiators continue to reject reasonable proposals covering a range of non-controversial subjects and to move at a snail's pace when it comes to making simple fixes to known problems," NJASAP President Pedro Leroux said. "NetJets's concessionary agenda remains fundamentally unchanged since it was introduced on the first day of negotiations, serving as a primary obstacle to reaching agreement on a new contract."

NJASAP has made clear a concessionary agreement will not be accepted by the pilot group – especially as NetJets continues to report significantly increased revenues, aggressive debt reduction, multi-billion dollar aircraft deliveries and expansion into China. "To date, the Company's proposals are what one might expect to receive from a bankrupt carrier, not one that dominates the market like NetJets," Negotiating Committee Co-Chair Mark Luthi said. "Reaching a timely agreement with the pilot group will require management to retreat from its unachievable concessionary agenda and to focus on working with the Union to craft an agreement that recognizes the skill, expertise and dedication of the pilot force."

The events of the past two years have led Union leaders to view government-supervised mediation as the best avenue for moving forward at this time. "NJASAP is committed to reaching a prompt, orderly resolution of our collective bargaining dispute with NetJets," Leroux said, "and we look forward to working with the NMB-appointed Mediator to that end." Until that time, Union Negotiators will continue to participate in direct negotiations with NetJets.

Separately, the 2015 NJASAP Officer Election season came to a speedy conclusion when the PilotsUnite Slate, led by current Union President Pedro Leroux, was deemed elected Friday due to the lack of opposing candidates at the end of the nomination period. "The Union Leadership and Membership are united in their contract goals," Leroux commented. "My fellow incoming Board members and I view the incredible support we received during the nomination period as proof positive we have set NJASAP on the right course and the Membership enthusiastically supports our direction." Leroux's Leadership group, which officially takes office on July 1, includes Vice President Paulette Gilbert, Treasurer Jason Layman, Secretary Jimmy Tullos and Trustee Robert McIncrow. Of the five incoming officers, four currently serve as Executive Board members.

About NJASAP Founded in 2008 as an independent labor advocate, the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) represents the professional interests of the 2,700-plus pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary. For more information, visit our web site, www.njasap.com, Facebook page, www.facebook.com/njasap, or Twitter feed, @njasap.

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SOURCE NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP)