The gloves are off as this Management v. PVC saga continues. Does this sound like an ALPA negotiation or what? I tell you what, I like it. I'm pretty new to JetBlue and I've seen the first ALPA drive come and go, and all the effort management put into the drive. I felt their sincerity, and I still truly believe that there are no "horns" growing from beneath their blue management ball caps. That's why I love this company. Great people and a great product.
We, as comparative major airline pilots, know and have spoken our position in regard to industry competitive wages. (Via the PVC) The company has chosen to start a "tit for tat" verbal/legal debate. I think the most recent email from the company, in regards to their eagerness to complete the new PEA negotiation this summer, shows they are looking to continue with the status quo in wage increases and pilot give backs. I would aim to guess they are offering a minimal wage increase and asking for multiple changes in regards to our "working agreements". Honestly, they seem to be a bit frightened by the PVC's boldness in our current position. For years, the company has touted the DR as the mainstay staple of a pilots individuality and success at JetBlue. It worked, but as the company has grown the company has used this as a bargaining chip against the pilot group.
This is the time and the conversation to rebuild the DR. But to do this, the company will have to make considerable increases to pilot wages and not ask for changes or givebacks in other areas. This is the "Tipping Point" of the DR. If the company does not make a good faith step towards the PVC's data and points, it will be the beginning of an organized labor force and CBA.