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.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141203/162217LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/njasap-files-for-mediation-in-contract-dispute-with-buffetts-netjets-300062268.html
SOURCE NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
(NJASAP)