JetBlue Pilots intensify efforts in pursuit of standalone contract negotiations

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Today, pilots from JetBlue Airways, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have announced a renewed focus on negotiating an independent collective bargaining agreement with the company. This shift comes amidst uncertainties surrounding the proposed acquisition and merger with Spirit Airlines. Instead of pursuing a joint collective bargaining agreement for a combined JetBlue-Spirit pilot group, JetBlue pilot leaders are now preparing to initiate bargaining discussions for a new JetBlue contract later this year.

A federal court in Boston issued a permanent injunction against the proposed merger of JetBlue and Spirit on January 24. In response, both airlines filed notices of appeal with the First Circuit, which granted expedited treatment by the Court of Appeals. Oral arguments for the appeal are set for June, and a decision is expected before the merger agreement’s termination date on July 24. Should the merger fail to proceed, negotiations between JetBlue and its pilot group could commence as soon as August.

Capt. Justin Houck, chair of the JetBlue unit of ALPA, stated, “When the merger was initially proposed, we opted for a short-term extension rather than a full comprehensive contract, anticipating a joint collective bargaining agreement post-merger. However, the court decision in January has altered the landscape significantly. Without the merger, our attention must shift to attaining our contractual objectives as a single unified pilot group.”

In January 2023, JetBlue pilots approved a brief contract extension prioritizing immediate economic enhancements to maintain JetBlue pilot pay at competitive levels amidst a possibly protracted merger process. Since then, pilots from other airlines, such as Delta and United, have successfully negotiated contracts that not only enhance their compensation but also improve work rules, quality of life, and benefits.

“While the contract extension last year served as a temporary measure during the merger process, it was never intended to substitute for a comprehensive contract,” continued Houck. “In the event the merger does not go forward, JetBlue pilots are ready to achieve the full collective bargaining agreement they have earned.”

Established in 1931, ALPA stands as the largest airline pilot union globally, representing over 77,000 pilots across 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines, inclusive of nearly 5,000 pilots from JetBlue Airways.

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