JetBlue/Spirit ALPA merger question
 

Hypothetical question for the purposes of understanding ALPA mergers/buyouts etc.

Assuming the deal closes tomorrow for the sake of this question, and it takes 2-3 years to reach an new contract with seniority list integration etc. During the period the NK pilots will be earning substantially less money than than an equivalent seniority JB pilot. Assuming there is a contract increase in the cards as a result of this purchase does that mean the NK pilots can expect to see some kind of retroactive pay when the dust settles?

In short, no. We are not Jet Blue pilots until there is a JCBA and the merger passes regulatory approval. We negotiated our existing contract, and we are opening section 6 talks for a new contract should the merger go sideways. Our compensation is on us until the date the JCBA takes over.

Which wouldn’t preclude an interim LOA or something to hold down attrition and increase recruitment since the JCBA will be looming regardless. Any baseline that can be raised BEFORE the merger would all be to the good…

Got it. Thanks for the answers.

That is possible, but retrograde pay from B6 during a period we don’t actually work for B6 was his original question. That’s not going to happen.

Which brings up the question- do they c suite folks want to get back to actually running an airline? Doubtful they care about section 6 openers in September. Does Ted still stand on the premise of “they can leave if they want to”?

No way attrition is our friend while negotiating, no chance the union will give managment relief

They have literally approached management to do exactly that.

Crazy they would give up bargaining power.

This was sent out a couple of weeks ago:

The MEC has tasked the Negotiating Committee to pursue a short-term agreement with Spirit that achieves the highest priorities of our pilot group. With such an agreement, we will seek to protect our pilots from the risks of any merger transaction failing regulatory approval and a protracted bargaining for a JCBA.

We have before us multiple opportunities to bargain. The first, for a short-term agreement under Section 6, the second for a TPA, and a third for a JCBA. Neither Spirit nor the pilots can afford to defer contract improvements until the conclusion of what could be a lengthy regulatory process and JCBA negotiations. We both need a new agreement now.

The Negotiating Committee will travel to ALPA headquarters next week to continue its preparations. Please watch for further updates.