Latest Employees To Sign Five-Year Agreement
On Tuesday, mechanics and
related workers represented by Teamsters Local 284 in Columbus, OH
signed a five-year contract with NetJets, Inc. Representatives with
the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents the
mechanics, told ANN the agreement strengthens wages and job
security, and provides significant signing bonuses for workers at
the Berkshire Hathaway-owned carrier.
"The contract proves a company can dominate its market and
provide its hardworking employees with fair wages, benefits and job
security at the same time," said Don Treichler, Teamsters Airline
Division Director. "With this contract we've established
long-lasting labor peace with NetJets."
Ratified 94-30 by workers on January 4, the contract increases
job security by reducing maintenance operations performed by
non-unionized workers and provides for an increase in the number of
unionized mechanics. Health, dental and vision insurance coverage
are also guaranteed, at no cost to the employees through 2008 and
with protections against rising insurance premium contributions in
future years. The agreement also secures annual wage increases and
seniority-based signing bonuses of up to $10,000 per employee.
"This agreement reflects NetJets’ commitment to the
highest standards of flight safety and maintenance and the vital
role of NetJets' maintenance workers in upholding these standards,"
said NetJets Aviation Chairman Richard Santulli. "This newly
negotiated contract is in addition to recent labor agreements with
our pilots and flight attendants. With these three agreements in
place, we look forward to a collaborative and harmonious labor
environment that will enable us all to look to the future and
experience continued growth."
The contract is the third five-year agreement reached recently
by NetJets and workers. The carrier's employees -- approximately
2,600 pilots, represented by Teamsters Local 1108 in Gahanna, OH
and some 150 mechanics and 155 flight attendants represented by
Local 284 -- have more favorable secured wages, benefits and
working conditions.
"Over the negotiating process NetJets developed systems to work
with its unions in a cooperative manner," said Mark Luthi, Airline
Division Associate Director. "We applaud their actions. These
contracts assure cooperative and productive flight operations for
years to come."
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4
million members in the United States and Canada.