JetBlue Faces Pilots Union Backlash Over United Partnership

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?

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?