As Merger Moves Forward, Pilots Urge Contract Extension Focused on Immediate Economic Improvements
JetBlue Airways pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l. (ALPA), greeted today’s vote by Spirit Airlines shareholders approving the merger of JetBlue and Spirit by reiterating the importance of achieving a short-term extension of the pilots’ collective bargaining agreement with immediate economic improvements that will bridge what is likely to be a lengthy regulatory review of the transaction.
“Today’s vote does not change our goal of achieving a contract extension that ensures JetBlue pilots are compensated in line with our daily contribution to the success of this airline and an increasingly competitive pilot market,” commented Capt. Chris Kenney, chair of the JetBlue unit of ALPA. “We will not let a business decision to merge with another airline distract from the immediate needs of this airline and JetBlue pilots.”
Last month, JetBlue pilots announced they were shifting the focus of their negotiations from a full contract to a short-term contract extension that would include immediate compensation improvements. These negotiations are an opportunity for JetBlue to meet the immediate economic needs of its pilots so that it can focus on the pending merger transaction.
“The needs of this pilot group can’t wait for a merger that could take years to get the compensation package they have earned,” continued Kenney. “The message we have taken to management is that contract improvements now are key to this airline’s success today and in the future.”
