We know that JetBlue and United are planning a partnership, which could be announced in the coming weeks. The union representing JetBlue’s pilots has expressed concerns about this partnership. Is the union just playing hardball to get leverage in contract negotiations, or do they really oppose this deal?
In this post:
JetBlue pilots union signals opposition to United deal
JetBlue pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and this week, the head of the union has published a letter to pilots, expressing serious concerns about a potential United partnership. This was first reported by Reuters, and the letter was shared by @xJonNYC.
The letter starts by pointing out the low morale at the airline:
Our environment is becoming more uncertain by the day. Morale is deteriorating across the operation, and confidence in our future at JetBlue is being steadily undermined. Not by chance — but by choice. And that choice is being made by JetBlue management.
The letter claims that management is pursuing an approach of secrecy, and that domestic partnerships violate the current collective bargaining agreement:
JetBlue is pursuing a so-called “domestic partnership” — another endeavor that could fundamentally reshape this airline and impact our futures. Instead of transparency, however, we have secrecy. Instead of consultation, exclusion.
We all know — as does management — that Job Security protections, including the current prohibition on entering into a commercial agreement, exist in CBA Section 1 to protect our careers. Yet management has not come to the union. They have not addressed our concerns. They choose to not even acknowledge their workforce.
The letter concludes with the following:
This is not a company operating with the best interests of its pilots in mind — at all. However they choose to spin this, this is a company planning a future without its pilots.
This is just a bargaining technique, a deal is good for pilots
The first thing to understand is that JetBlue pilots are currently trying to negotiate a new contract with management. Given JetBlue’s lack of profitability in recent years, the two parties have been quite a distance apart in terms of what they’re willing to settle for. So one certainly imagines that the frustration expressed here is intended to be a bargaining technique in these negotiations.
A few thoughts on the union’s perspective about a United deal:
- I can appreciate that the union wants a say here, but talks are still ongoing between JetBlue and United management, so it seems a bit too early for that, especially since the initial phase of any deal likely just involves loyalty program collaboration
- JetBlue being independent isn’t good for JetBlue pilots — JetBlue is deferring new aircraft, and has even been looking for pilots to take voluntary leaves
- The best possible outcome for JetBlue pilots would be a merger with United, given that JetBlue pilots would almost certainly be brought to United’s much higher pay scales
I totally get that the union has to posture in this way, and act as if this would be terrible for pilots. But this is clearly intended just to get as much out of a new contract as possible, as there’s not a rational reason for pilots to be opposed to a deal like this, at least when taking a realistic look at the US aviation landscape.
JetBlue’s current independent plan of essentially shrinking into profitability isn’t great for pilots, and I think there’s only upside with a deal like this.
Bottom line
Unsurprisingly, JetBlue’s pilots union is expressing concerns about a potential partnership with United, suggesting it would violate their contract, and that it’s not in the best interest of pilots. Presumably it’s not a coincidence that JetBlue pilots are also currently negotiating a new contract.
When push comes to shove, I don’t think this opposition will cause any issues for a potential deal. Of course the first step is actually understanding what any deal would entail, and we’re not at that stage yet.
What do you make of this opposition from JetBlue pilots?
While the apparent implications of this deal are stunningly bad for the flying public I don't see a lot of downside for JetBlue's pilots. Sure, management has acted like weasels in keeping pilots in the dark (and with the weasel king Kirby no less) but that doesn't mean that pilots will actually be hurt by this, so much ado about nothing although they should continue to be cautious in dealing with management given management's bad faith.
required sabre rattling by the union leadership.
You can't get any raise if your employer doesn't exist anymore.
But then, they'll soon be all obsolete anyway.
Don’t see any type of merger ever being allowed to happen it’s going to face a ton of opposition if they even try it. United will be getting sued that’s for sure
*both
And as they should if there is even possible talk of a merger it will be stopped! It will not only cause JetBlue pilots to lose seniority overall but United pilots as well. They aren’t slow!!!
If United was talking about keeping bot separate companies and seniority lists seperate that would be an entirely different story. Do not fail to mention or gloss over how mergers screw employees over in terms of seniority and it will be stopped. Lawsuits will be coming!!!
The airline is losing money and seems to need a lifeline. Looks like management is trying to figure out some kind of path forward; being acquired, joint venture, codeshare.
Let management do their thing. Because if JetBlue goes into Chapter 11 people are going to lose jobs or those remaining (assuming it's not a liquidation) will likely see their existing contracts torn up by the court.
The demand for pilots has been softening. Most pilots...
The airline is losing money and seems to need a lifeline. Looks like management is trying to figure out some kind of path forward; being acquired, joint venture, codeshare.
Let management do their thing. Because if JetBlue goes into Chapter 11 people are going to lose jobs or those remaining (assuming it's not a liquidation) will likely see their existing contracts torn up by the court.
The demand for pilots has been softening. Most pilots realize that if they end up with another carrier they will be at the bottom of the seniority list.
Sounds like the union wasn’t invited to the big boys table and now they’re trying to complain to the teacher.
Strange they had no issue with the AA deal.
The writing’s on the wall. Nothing they can do at this point.
There is plenty of power they hold. The pilots hold the most power actually. If they fight and don’t want it then ultimately it can get blocked. Think intelligently