TIRED OF USING YOUR VACATION TIME WHEN YOU'RE SICK?JetBlue management has imposed a “Personal Time Off” (PTO) system. We use PTO for everything: when we are sick, on vacation, when our kids are sick, emergencies or any other day off. Unionized GO workers across the airline industry have a sick bank AND annual vacation. If they’re sick, they use sick time. They don’t have to deplete their vacation time and get penalized because they get sick. We deserve nothing less!  WHY DON'T WE SHARE IN THE PROFITS WE HELP TO CREATE?Did you know we are the only major airline workers who do not receive profit sharing? If you think that needs to change, we are 100% with you! When we join the IAM UNION we will have the ability to negotiate a profit sharing plan that will recognize our key contributions to the success of our airline. The below is a comparison of the different profit sharing plans among the major airlines.  Because we don’t have a contract and the ability to protect our benefits, JetBlue management can take anything it wants away from us and never have to give us anything if they don’t want to. It’s happened before with many benefits we had in the past—including profit sharing, premiums, our automatic 5% 401k contribution, among others—and it will likely happen again. The only way to protect the things we don’t want taken away from us is with a CONTRACT!
WHAT IS JETBLUE MANAGEMENT SO AFRAID OF?Over the next few weeks and months, IAM UNION airline workers have committed to fan out across the United States and Puerto Rico to talk with JetBlue GO Crewmembers about unionizing.
A couple of the methods that will be used to connect with GO CMs will be phone calls and, in some locations, home visits. JetBlue management will claim Union representatives are harassing and invading our privacy to get us to join the Union for the Union’s own self-serving reasons. Nothing could be further from the truth. Airline workers who are IAM members only seek to help us and give us information. JetBlue management will not allow IAM members to visit with us in the workplace because they DO NOT want us to hear anything other than what management wants us to hear. They don’t want us to unionize and will do everything they can to prevent us from hearing the good things that union representation can bring. They call the police on IAM member organizers when they are at the airport to intimidate them and keep us from engaging with them. At the airport, Jetblue management can control the situation and that’s how they want it. Conversations over the phone and face to face, away from the airport, are situations that JetBlue management cannot control. When JetBlue management cannot control the situation, that’s when they get nervous. THEY GET NERVOUS BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT US TO HEAR ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF A UNION CONTRACT FROM OUR FELLOW AIRLINE WORKERS THEMSELVES! Ask yourself these two questions: Do you really believe that JetBlue management doesn’t want us to unionize because we will be worse off with a union contract? Or, do you think they are against us unionizing because they will lose the total control over us they enjoy now and that JetBlue’s labor costs will rise because we will have the ability to negotiate for better pay, benefits and working conditions? If you think the latter, then it’s a good idea to get all the info on the Union as you can. The best way to do that is not under the watchful eye of management, but in a safe environment free from management influence and surveillance. The IAM UNION and its members are not the enemy. They are our industry colleagues who care about us. JETBLUE MANAGEMENT TO CREWMEMBERS: WE HAVE JOB SECURITY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE JOB SECURITY. WHAT?JetBlue management is up to its old tricks once again. They are back telling GO Crewmembers in smaller locations that if we unionize that the smaller JetBlue GO locations could be outsourced. Here’s the truth: JetBlue management is prohibited under federal law from retaliating against us for supporting or joining a union. IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR JETBLUE MANAGEMENT TO OUTSOURCE, OR EVEN THREATEN TO OUTSOURCE OUR WORK, BECAUSE WE SUPPORT OR JOIN A UNION. If JetBlue management took any adverse actions in retaliation against JetBlue GO Crewmembers because we are seeking to unionize, the IAM UNION would take action, which could include filing a lawsuit in federal court. The fact is, currently, we have absolutely no protection against outsourcing. JetBlue management could outsource every JetBlue location right now for any reason. However, to outsource our work BECAUSE we desire to unionize, or in fact do unionize, is illegal under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). While every airline outsources ground operations, union contracts provide protections against outsourcing. For example, every IAM airline contract protects the work and jobs of IAM UNION members. JetBlue GO Crewmembers, once unionized, will have the same opportunity to negotiate work and job protections into our contract. If anyone has threatened to outsource our work and jobs because of our desire to unionize, please click the following link to file an anonymous interference report: ONLINE INTERFERENCE FORM. Click the link for more info on our right to form a union free from interference: OUR RIGHTS.  JetBlue management standing proudly with Swissport workers who perform GO at SFO. VALUES COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR WHINES, DEFENDS JETBLUE MANAGEMENT AND SUB-STANDARD PAY, BENEFITS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The Values Committee co-chair, who is paid by JetBlue management not to work ground operations and paid to travel the system to discourage GO Crewmembers from getting their fair share in pay, benefits and working conditions by unionizing, whined yesterday about the fact the IAM UNION correctly pointed out that JetBlue GO Crewmembers’ base wage rates are below the industry average for airlines with approximately 1,000 daily flights and approximately $10 billion in annual revenues. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg regarding the ways GO Crewmembers are undervalued by JetBlue management and the VC co-chair.
What the VC co-chair left out on his “Happy Acat Day” email was the 5% automatic 401k contribution that was stripped away from GO Crewmembers to pay for the “raises” that GO Crewmembers received. What has JetBlue management and the VC co-chair done about mandatory shift extensions (MSE) and the over-working of Crewmembers caused by short staffing? Has the VC co-chair been MSE'd lately or told to work extremely heavy flights with insufficient staffing? That would be a big NO because JetBlue management pays him a lot of money to sit in an office and misinform his GO Crewmember colleagues about the benefits of union representation. What’s JetBlue management the VC co-chair’s plan to stop or lessen the “critical coverage” BS and taking away Crewmembers’ ability to cross-train? What is the plan to improve the quality and lessen the cost of medical insurance? What is the plan to improve the worst retirement security in the airline industry for GO workers? To increase the number of holidays and the pay when we work a holiday? What about when we have to reschedule our lunch, or if we don’t get one? What about the OPS premium that used to be $2.50 per hour but now is $1.00 per hour? Is the VC co-chair kidding? What about the GO Crewmember who was issued a LOC with no questions asked because management said he was “speaking in a loud tone.” These are the type of things that happen when there is no union and no representation. Where’s the profit sharing? Why are GO Crewmembers the only GO workers in the airline industry who don’t receive profit sharing/incentive payments? Why are LGA and EWR GO Crewmembers with 11 years seniority disrespected by earning $1 less per hour—over $2,000 per year for full-time GO Crewmembers at the top of the pay scale—compared to their co-workers who work less than 10 miles away at JFK Airport? Why the disparity? The bottom line is, WE, GO Crewmembers DO NOT HAVE A VOICE OR ANY POWER in the decisions that JetBlue management and the VC co-chair are making for us, which affect our lives and the lives of our family members. The VC co-chair is being used by CEO Geraghty, just as former CEO Robin Hayes used him. During the 2023 union election we were told changes would be made to improve our jobs at JetBlue. All those who were telling us to “give them a year” and “it will be better” are gone now. The VC co-chair is still around and continues his job of parroting management’s anti-union talking points. Finally, the VC co-chair refused to address the lies he told at the last JFK pocket session that we pointed out and correct the record. We call on CEO Geraghty to do this when she visits for another pocket session at JFK on April 10th. We ask all GO Crewmembers demand truth and transparency from CEO Geraghty and direct the VC co-chair to cease his unlawful union busting. IAM AIR TRANSPORT GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT CALLS ON JETBLUE CEO TO CEASE ILLEGAL UNION BUSTING BY VALUES COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR Air Transport Territory
Via email: [email protected] Joanna Geraghty Chief Executive Officer JetBlue Airways Ms. Geraghty, I am writing to advise you of some concerning things that are happening at JetBlue regarding JetBlue Ground Operations (GO) Crewmembers’ efforts to form a union. As you are likely aware, in the lead up to the 2023 union vote, JetBlue management dispatched “Values Committee” members around the JetBlue system to discourage GO Crewmembers from voting to form a union. The “Values Committee” members were paid by JetBlue to conduct these meetings, flew on JetBlue Airways aircraft to get to these meetings and were given hotel accommodations in cities that they traveled to. In other words, JetBlue management was pulling the strings and the “Values Committee” station-hopped to run JetBlue’s anti-union campaign. It appears, now, that JetBlue management is using the same playbook as last time. On March 13, 2025, during a “pocket session” at JFK Airport, Values Committee co-chair, Delanno White, lied to every GO Crewmemberswho attended that meeting by stating the following:
Moreover, during the week of March 6, 2025, Mr. White was reported as informing newly hired JFK-based JetBlue GO Crewmembers that they are “too new” to sign an election authorization card. Another outright lie. As you know, every JetBlue Ground Operations Crewmember has the right to sign a union election authorization card, regardless of when they started to work at JetBlue. Crewmembers can sign a card if they want the moment they are hired at JetBlue Airways. Ms. Geraghty, I realize that you were not the JetBlue CEO in 2023, and you were not directly responsible for dispatching Values Committee members to influence how GO Crewmembers voted in the 2023 election. The Railway Labor Act, the federal law which governs union organizing in the airline industry, states that “no carrier, its officers or agents (emphasis added) […] shall influence or coerce employees in an effort to induce them to join or remain or not to join or remain members of any labor organization…” I am respectfully requesting that you direct Values Committee members, who are agents of the carrier, to refrain from influencing GO Crewmembers from exercising their federal right to request that a union representation election be conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB). I also ask that you correct the lies told by Mr. White via email to all JFK-based workers. Please also advise Mr. White of his legal status as a paid agent of management who does not work Ground Operations at JFK Airport and further advise him of what his responsibilities are under federal law regarding workers’ freedom to form a union free from interference, influence and coercion. I would very much appreciate constructive dialogue on these extremely concerning issues and I look forward to your response. Respectfully, Richie Johnsen IAM UNION, AIR TRANSPORT GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT JFK POCKET SESSION FILLED WITH LIES AND MISREPRESENTATIONS AS UNION CAMPAIGN PROGRESSES Using a tactic that tricked and influenced JetBlue GO Crewmembers from voting to unionize during the union election in 2023, JetBlue management and their hand-picked agents are at it again. In a "pocket session" held this week at JFK Airport, a GO Crewmember who does not work in the operation and who management directed to spread false information about the union, stated the following lies and misrepresentations:
LIE 1: "IAM UNION CONTRACTS DON'T ALLOW WORKERS TO TRADE OFF AND PICK UP HOURS." TRUTH: Every IAM UNION contract protects IAM-represented airline workers RIGHTS to trade hours away and pick up hours. Below are links to examples of IAM contracts that PROTECT IAM members' TRADING RIGHTS. United Airlines (pages 37-39): https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Final-FLEET-SERVICE-EMPLOYEES-2023-2025-Agreement-0426231-003.pdf American Airlines (pages 62-64): iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TWU-IAM-Fleet-Employee-Association-JCBA-3-26-2020.pdf Southwest Airlines (pages 20-22 PSE class and craft): https://atd142.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IAM-CBA.pdf Alaska Airlines: No contractual limitation on trades. All trade hours worked count towards weekly computation of overtime, as well. LIE 2: "THE IAM DOES NOT REPRESENT AMERICAN AIRLINES RAMP WORKERS." TRUTH: The IAM UNION and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) formed the "TWU-IAM Association" after the merger of American Airlines and US Airways in 2013 to jointly represent the American Airlines Fleet Service workers. Last year, IAM and TWU members at American Airlines voted in an industry-leading contract, with the highest wages, best benefits and industry-leading working conditions. Click the link to see the recent extension agreement ratified by American ramp workers by over 90%: https://www.twu-iam-association.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20240923-TWU-IAM-Fleet-CBA-Extension-Agreement-Company-Draft-v.-2.0.pdf LIE 2: "THE IAM DOES NOT REPRESENT ANY WORKERS AT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES." TRUTH: The IAM UNION represents more than 7,000 Southwest Airlines Customer Service and Reservations Agents. The Southwest IAM-represented Customer Service workers at Southwest earn $39.50, which leads the industry by $1.68. LIE 3: "IF JETBLUE WORKERS UNIONIZE WITH THE IAM THEY WILL LOSE WEEKLY PAY AT JFK." TRUTH: When JetBlue GO Crewmembers unionize, negotiate and vote in our own contract, we can demand that weekly pay be included in our contract for all states that legally require hourly rated workers to be paid on a weekly basis. New York is such a state. JetBlue management would be forced, based on state law, to agree to such terms. All IAM-represented airline employees who work in New York State are paid on a weekly basis with the exception of American Airlines. American ramp workers negotiated bi-weekly pay in their contract VOLUNTARILY and VOTED IN that change to waive the New York State weekly pay law. It's very important to understand, though, that JetBlue management could seek a waiver from the New York Department of Labor to pay GO Crewmembers on a bi-weekly basis, as Delta Air Lines does. Without a contract, and with a waiver from the NYS DOL, JetBlue could take away weekly pay against our wishes tomorrow. With a UNION and a CONTRACT, they could not. If GO Crewmember's really want to protect weekly pay so that it can never be taken away, the only way to do that is lock it in with a contract! It is very sad and immoral, and potentially unlawful, that JetBlue management is resorting to the same old playbook in which it sends JetBlue employees, who management takes out of the operation and pays (who really knows how much), to coerce, influence and discourage us from exercising our federal right to form a union without interference. Lying about what other UNION CONTRACTS contain is NOT OK. We, as GO Crewmembers, must demand that management STOP LYING and let Crewmembers decide for ourselves, without management interference, if we want to unionize or not. Detroit Local 141 Spreads IAM Generosity to Community IAM members from Local 141 from United, American and Southwest Airlines in Detroit volunteer in the community. IAM Local 141, which represents airline members in the Detroit area with members at United, Southwest and American, has a passion for helping people in need. The local, which has a membership of around 400, regularly donates and volunteers at regional non-profit organizations.
“I’m proud of our members at Local 141 who are helping and spending their valuable time by serving and giving,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “They embody the core values of the IAM, and labor in general. They’re focused on lifting people up and building bridges.” Area non-profits aided by IAM Local 141 include homeless shelters, drug recovery centers, a domestic violence shelter, the Detroit Rescue Mission and the American House Senior Living facility. “It’s very rewarding and I mean that from my heart. I come from a family that’s always been involved in community service,” said Stephanie Dianna Walker, IAM Local 141 Community Service Chair. “I really care about my community. It truly feels good to be able to live up to the IAM’s motto of service to the community.” Since December, members of Local 141 have served refreshments at shelters, listened and encouraged patients who are recovering from addiction, donated hundreds of blankets to a senior center and cooked meals for victims of domestic violence. “We want the community to know we are there for them,” said Andrea Myers, an IAM Air Transport Special Representative, who is active with Local 141. “What we are trying to do is let the community know there’s people out there who have their best interest, and care.” In the coming months, IAM Local 141 members plan to continue serving local shelters. They’re also organizing a movie night for at-risk and underserved members of the community and are planning a day of pampering for poor and at-risk women. Crewmember Union Meetings in FLLJetBlue Crewmembers from BOS and JFK visited Crewmembers in FLL to discuss the best ways to gain the required support for a union representation election. JFK and BOS GO Crewmembers discussed with FLL Crewmembers the strategies and tactics that have been working in both of JetBlue's largest GO locations.
Reportedly, large numbers of JFK-based and BOS-based Crewmembers have signed election authorization cards (a-cards), demanding another union vote. In fact, the momentum around the system has been great as MCO, LAX, EWR and LGA also have high rates of card signers, with GO Crewmembers demanding change at JetBlue. GO Crewmember worker meetings will continue around the system and all Crewmembers will be advised of when those meetings will occur. IAM Union Urges Stronger Airline Worker Protections After Latest Serious On-Job Incident CHICAGO, Feb. 3, 2025--Following a weekend incident at O’Hare International Airport in which an International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union ramp worker at United Airlines was seriously injured in a collision between a plane and a tug vehicle, the IAM Union is continuing to demand stronger safety measures for all airline workers.
“We are thinking of our member who suffered serious injuries, and our union hopes for a speedy recovery,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “The IAM Union will coordinate with authorities on the ground to ensure we have a full investigation of what went wrong. The IAM safety committee and EAP representatives are on the ground to assist and support our affected members.” “At least five airline workers have been killed and countless more injured on airport tarmacs in the last two years. Now, it is time for the FAA to complete and implement its congressionally-mandated study on ramp worker safety to help our industry improve the safety of airline ramp workers,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “The IAM Union is urging legislators to prioritize FAA reauthorization provisions that include ramp safety improvements before another incident occurs at one of our U.S. airports.” The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries. |