459 Pilots Temporarily Off The Job In January

The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) Executive Board has received notice of NetJets Aviation, Inc.'s, intent to furlough up to 495 pilots; the effective furlough date is anticipated for mid January 2010. An independent labor organization, NJASAP represents the interests of the professional pilots who fly in the service of NetJets.

"After several months of continuous efforts to mitigate a pilot furlough, we have reached a point at which the economic realities that challenge our employer can no longer be offset by the ground-breaking initiatives implemented earlier this year," NJASAP President Capt. Mark Luthi said. In April, the parties launched the Joint Preventive Measures Campaign which gave the pilot force a menu of voluntary, incentivized options intended to alleviate the overstaffing issue. Despite widespread campaign participation, NetJets has concluded the initiative is no longer sustainable.

A second attempt to stave off a furlough was made late last month when the Executive Board presented a series of concepts to senior NetJets executives; however, the most recent effort did not come to fruition.

Recognizing the seriousness of the economic crisis early on, Association leaders sought to supplement its furlough mitigation efforts by forming the NJASAP Furlough Working Group, which was tasked with preparing a robust pilot assistance initiative should a reduction in force take place. "Hoping a working group's efforts prove unnecessary is hardly an appropriate mindset for a responsible leadership group; however, I freely admit the Board and I would have preferred the group's year-long preparations been for naught," Luthi said.

Almost one year of planning has positioned the Association to offer immediate access to information and resources designed to assist each furloughed crewmember and his or her family. In addition to a series of informational teleconferences, the Union has launched a web-based Furloughed Pilot Resource Center and has prepared a comprehensive resource guide that outlines financial, unemployment, and worker retraining benefits as well as alternate insurance options and various assistance grants.

The Executive Board has also approved a seven-month dues refund and the immediate cessation of dues collected from affected pilots and has purchased a year-long subscription to two aviation job sites for each pilot. Additionally, the FWG is finalizing an outreach program that will keep furloughed pilots in touch with their peers by paring them with active pilots.

"Although the furlough could not be prevented, NJASAP maintains a tireless commitment to protecting the professional interests of its members and to supporting our furloughed pilots," Luthi said. "As the NetJets restructuring effort continues, the Union remains willing to engage in mutually beneficial talks intended to hasten our pilots' return to the flight line."

FMI: www.njasap.com