Following the release of JetBlue Airways’ third-quarter earnings statement that reported $293 million in earnings, JetBlue pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), responded to the report by stating it was time the airline invested in its pilots.
The recent earnings release marked the 30th consecutive quarter of profitability for the airline. Since the beginning of 2017, the airline has reported more than $751 million in pretax profit, bringing its total earnings to more than $2.5 billion over the last two years.
Meanwhile, JetBlue pilots have been proposed pay rates that, according to ALPA, would keep them among the lowest-paid in the industry
“JetBlue pilots have played a vital role in the company’s continued success,” ALPA JetBlue Chairman Captain Patrick Walsh said. “Our peers at other airlines enjoy significant pay-rate increases, both at the table and through outside agreements. Though JetBlue is consistently among industry leaders in profitability, our pilots trail in pay and benefits.”
Walsh’s statement comes approximately three years after JetBlue pilots voted to unionize. Since that time, contract talks with the airline have stalled due to various issues and the pilots remain without market-rate pay.
Dissatisfied with a lack of progress in contract talks, the pilots filed for mediation in July with the National Mediation Board in order to resolve the two sides’ outstanding disputes.
“After almost three years of negotiations, it’s time for management to invest in the pilots,” Walsh said. “This company pays market rate for fuel, planes, maintenance, and gates. It’s time it paid market rate for its pilots.”