OneSky pilots have voted 318 to 220 to reject union representation by International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 1108. Yesterday’s vote, under the auspices of the U.S. National Mediation Board, concluded a long battle over union representation, following the 2013 merger of the Flexjet and Flight Options fractional ownership companies under OneSky chairman Kenn Ricci.
He included a letter of thanks to the notification of the vote, in which he announced that all pilots would receive a $1,000 bonus check in “celebration” of the vote. He also outlined “some immediate changes” the company plans in the following areas: Reinstating longevity for transfer pilots; increasing first officer compensation for better retention; increasing Phenom pilot compensation; increasing voluntary overtime compensation; and reinstating individual employment agreements.
Ricci wrote: “While now is a time to celebrate, it is also a time for our leadership to act. Soon, we will begin a listening tour in Cleveland and in Dallas, where we will hold a series of town hall meetings that will allow you to voice your concerns directly with our leadership. We will also begin a process to allow all pilots to have a voice in seniority list integration on the basis that no pilot will lose what they have. We know there are many items we need to correct, and I want to assure you that we will work to address these in a timely, thoughtful and inclusive manner.”