Union Threatens To Name High-Net-Worth Customers Of The Company

The latest round of "negotiations" between NetJets and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters involves a threat by the union to release the names of some of the fractional company's high-net-worth customers, and the company saying it will fire workers if they do so.

There are about 600 workers at NetJets represented by the Teamsters, including flight attendants, mechanics and other ground personnel. In a news release, the Union says "NetJets’ threat to terminate middle class workers is just the latest example of this out-of-control, multi-national corporation trying to coerce and intimidate its workforce into subsidizing the global super-rich.” Paul Suffoletto, President of Teamsters Local 284, said in the release that “the employees we represent will not give up one penny so a Wall Street banker or CEO can take a cheaper vacation on a private Gulfstream jet.”

In a statement to the online news site ValueWalk, NetJets responded that the news release is "another  example of the various tactics from the traditional union playbook" that the union is using to try and generate leverage in negotiations.

"Notwithstanding the union’s rhetoric, NetJets has the utmost respect for the professionalism of its pilots but we believe progress in collective bargaining can be made only at the bargaining table. NetJets has been and continues to be committed to good faith bargaining with its pilot union, and we share our team members’ frustration with the lack of progress that has resulted from the union’s failure to negotiate in a responsible and meaningful way," the statement said.

FMI: www.teamsters.org, www.teamnetjets.com