COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An
enduring commitment to mutual cooperation and assistance continues
today as NJASAP pledges to support Flexjet and Flight Options
pilots in their efforts to form a union. The NetJets Association of
Shared Aircraft Pilots or NJASAP represents the 2,700-plus pilots
who fly in the service of luxury carrier NetJets, Inc., a Berkshire
Hathaway subsidiary (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B).
"This vote is a historic opportunity for our Flexjet and Flight
Options peers," NJASAP President Pedro
Leroux said. "By choosing Teamsters Local 1108 as their
labor advocate, they merge their bargaining power, positioning them
to preserve what is best about the two carriers and to make
necessary improvements to their wages and work rules through the
collective bargaining process."
When Flexjet and Flight Options parent company One Sky Flight, LLC, announced plans to merge
the carriers, Union leaders and advocates sprang into action. The
Cleveland-based Flight Options
employs approximately 380 pilots, who are represented by Teamsters
Local 1108. Flexjet's 300-plus pilots are not currently part of a
union; however, an upcoming election could change that: The
National Mediation Board will supervise a representation election
scheduled to begin tomorrow. If, at its Dec.
15 conclusion, the pilots vote in favor of a union, then the
groups will be combined beneath the Local 1108 umbrella.
"No professional pilot, especially during and after a merger,
can afford to be without a union," Leroux emphasized. "This is an
undeniable truth that has been borne out time and time again in
aviation – a fact I am confident our Flexjet and Flight Options
peers understand." Without the benefit of a professional advocate,
management teams, he continued, maintain the upper hand, and this
is why they fight tooth and nail to keep unions off property. One
Sky has been no different: Executives have waged a rigorous
anti-union campaign to influence the outcome of the election.
"It is vital the Flight Options and Flexjet pilots stand strong
in the face of anti-union tricks like conveniently timed pay
increases, promises of benefit improvements, threats of
retaliation, and efforts to portray Local 1108 as a meddling
outsider," NJASAP Vice President Paulette
Gilbert explained. "What management gives during the
representation election, they can just as easily take away absent a
labor agreement supported by a strong union."
The NJASAP Executive Board and Membership have long viewed
cooperation and mutual assistance efforts as critical to improving
the safety, pay, benefits and working conditions of all pilots
employed in the specialized fractional market. Acting otherwise, as
history has shown, thrusts crewmembers into a race to the bottom
that lowers standards across the board. "Pilots must join together
to protect and enhance the profession regardless of who might sign
our paychecks," Leroux said, "This is why NJASAP unreservedly
supports Local 1108 in the election and urges every pilot to vote
in favor of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters."
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)