NetJets, Pilot Union Near Tentative Labor Agreement

After more than two years of contentious contract negotiations, the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) and NetJets Aviation reached an “agreement in principle” on a new collective bargaining agreement late last week. The parties are now finalizing the negotiated language that will form the tentative agreement, which is expected to be released in the coming days.

Negotiations between the union that represents NetJets’ 2,800 pilots and the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary began in June 2013. “Getting to this point has required a massive effort,” NJASAP president Pedro Leroux said. “We could not have succeeded without the support of our members. I would also like to thank the National Mediation Board, the new NetJets senior management and their negotiators for their commitment to the bargaining process.”

The parties have confirmed that the proposed agreement features “enhancements consistent with…protecting, repairing and improving the previous agreement” that was reached in 2007 and renewed in 2010. NJASAPexpects that members will be able to vote to accept or reject the tentative agreement later next month.

“We are pleased to announce that on the evening of October 14, NJA and NJASAP negotiators reached an agreement in principle for a new contract covering NJA’s 2,800 pilots,” NetJets said in a released statement. “As with any agreement, there is still work to be done to prepare and assemble the final documents. Once this work has been completed, additional information regarding the agreement and the ratification timeline will be communicated directly to pilots.

“We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the negotiating teams who worked diligently and collaboratively, especially throughout the last few months. Despite many challenges, both teams were dedicated and professional throughout the bargaining process. Thanks are also due to Victoria Gray of the National Mediation Board for her guidance and direction as our mediator, as well as to the NMB as a whole for the framework and support it provides.”