Claim Seeks To Compel Company Participation In Arbitration

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Teamsters Airline Division and Local 1108 have filed a lawsuit against Flexjet and Flight Options, stating that the companies are again violating the Railway Labor Act, this time by refusing to negotiate with the union.

The Teamsters are also seeking dismissal of a lawsuit brought against them by Flexjet and Flight Options that claims without any knowledge or basis that the integrated seniority list unanimously created and approved by the respective committees of Flexjet and Flight Options pilots is improper. The Teamsters have approved the list and demanded that management accept it, as required by the McCaskill-Bond Amendment and the Flight Options Collective Bargaining Agreement ("CBA").

"The lawsuit we're bringing today is a result of continued improper, illegal and anti-union activities by Flexjet and Flight Options," said Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. "On Dec. 15, 2015, the pilots at Flexjet and Flight Options made a collective decision that they wanted to be Teamsters. The companies need to reward these pilots for their hard work, dedication and professionalism, not delay the bargaining process with baseless lawsuits. As their representatives, we will do everything in our power to get them an industry-leading contract."

"The Teamsters strongly disagrees with Flexjet and Flight Option's litigation tactics, which are a complete waste of time and company resources," said Capt. Efrem Vojta, President of Local 1108 in Richmond Heights, Ohio. "These funds should be going to providing their pilots with bonuses, wage increases and the compensation they deserve. The Teamsters have complied with the McCaskill-Bond Amendment in every respect and company management has not. It is just refusing to bargain and arbitrate as a delay tactic and that isn't fair to these pilots who deserve an industry-leading agreement."

(Source: Teamsters news release)

FMI: www.teamster.org