NUC: Picketers Express Outrage At Buffett's NetJets

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hundreds of picketers charged Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK/B) NetJets, Inc., with attacking the livelihoods of middle class families. Unionized pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and related employees, maintenance controllers, stock clerks and flight dispatchers picketed at customer locations in California, New Jersey and the company's Columbus, Ohio corporate headquarters, according to the NetJets Union Coalition (NUC). 

The coalition is an alliance between the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), the pilots' union, and the Teamsters, which represents all of the other unionized employees at NetJets. The company is currently negotiating over new labor contracts covering approximately 4,000 unionized employees.

"Today, working families took a stand against corporate greed," NJASAP President Pedro Leroux said. "This is just the beginning of our effort to shed light on NetJets's unprovoked attack on the employees responsible for safe air travel."

Despite soaring revenues and profits, NetJets refused to exercise its right to extend its existing contract with the pilots' union. Instead, the world's leading provider of luxury air transportation services forced the group into negotiations last year and pursued aggressive bargaining proposals that have angered the workforce. The company made similar proposals to unionized flight attendants, flight dispatchers, mechanics and related employees, maintenance controllers and stock clerks, all of whom participated in picketing events today.

"Corporate greed is not a private matter," Teamsters Local 284 President Paul Suffoletto. "The fight that is brewing at NetJets has all the makings of a classic showdown between hard working Americans and a powerful corporation that is out to destroy their standard of living."

In addition to the company's corporate offices, picketers amassed at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. Union officials said additional events are planned to run through the upcoming holiday season and beyond with the goal of making contact with as many customers and members of the public as possible.

About NJASAP
Founded in 2008 as an independent labor organization, the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) represents the professional interests of the 3,000-plus pilots who fly in the service of NetJets Aviation, Inc. For more information, visit us at www.njasap.com or www.facebook.com/njasap.

About the IBT  
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico including more than 80,000 workers throughout the airline industry in every craft and class. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

SOURCE NJASAP