JetBlue finally has come to the table
w JetBlue ALPA pilots,
We are pleased to inform you that this week's mediated negotiating session with the company has concluded with an Agreement in Principle (AIP). We know this step toward working under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is welcome news that our 3,600 pilots have long awaited.
Over the following weeks, your Negotiating Committee will be hard at work to finalize language in the agreement. Because of efforts made between bargaining sessions by our negotiators and the company, a significant amount of this lift has already been completed, partially reducing the timeline to a ratification. Based on prior agreements at other properties and our current position, we anticipate this taking three to four weeks.
Once the Master Executive Council (MEC) has had the opportunity to review the agreement in totality, their vote will determine whether it goes to the pilot group as a Tentative Agreement for membership ratification. We ask that you allow your elected leadership the ability to fully study and understand the agreement—a critical step in this time-honored process of Section 6 negotiations.
Should the MEC vote pass, we will immediately distribute the agreement for your review, advise you of our road show schedule, and create ample opportunity to engage your union leadership about the agreement. Each active member in good standing will then be asked to participate in the democratic process of our union and decide whether to ratify the agreement.
Between now and the release of the full TA language and supporting information, we encourage you to refrain from engaging in speculation about the details of the agreement. We will not release any details of the AIP for the same reason we have stated throughout this process: it is critical for members to make an informed and educated judgement on the agreement in its final entirety. To pluck items out for dissemination would only serve to create biases and misconceptions, thus undermining the ratification process.
In light of the AIP, the MEC has cancelled the informational picket at JetBlue headquarters on May 17. We sincerely thank the hundreds of pilots that signed up for our picketing event in support of your Negotiating Committee and MEC. Ultimately, this agreement was driven by the commitment of our membership.
In Unity,