JetBlue pilots file to organize airline's first union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.newsday.com/travel/ny-webjblu1412171728nov13,0,201019.story

BY JAMES BERNSTEIN
November 13, 2008

Pilots at JetBlue Airways Corp. have filed a petition to establish an independent union, becoming the first group of employees at the Forest Hills-based discount carrier to organize.

JetBlue is the largest carrier in the nation without any organized labor groups.

In an announcement on its Web site Wednesday night, the JetBlue Pilots Association said it has filed papers with the National Mediation Board for the right to bargain for 2,000 workers.

Michael Sorbie, a JetBlue captain, said in a statement that the union would provide carreer protection for the airline's pilots.

"We have complete faith in our current company leadership and believe that this will be a cooperative effort," Sorbie's statement said. "As our airline matures, we want to ensure that the career expectations of our pilots will remain intact regardless of organizational changes."

Sorbie could not immediately be reached for comment. In a statement Thursday morning, JetBlue said "We have been advised that it is JBPA's intention to file a petition for election, but have not yet been notified by the National Mediation Board. We believe a direct relationship with the company is in our pilots' best interest."


FULL story at link.