NetJets Pilots picket the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting

NightCargo

NightCargo

Well-Known Member
Looks like over 400 of my fellow union brothers and sisters have given up their time to travel to OMA to express our displeasure with management. I wish I could be there with them!

http://njasap.smugmug.com/Oma15/
 

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If they want to picket, thats a good thing. But to have children out there carrying signs? Thats pretty sorry.
 
The Oracle responds:

Buffett told Fox Business late this afternoon pilots are well compensated. "They're doing well and we're doing well. What we pay is higher than most of our competitors. They have terrific working conditions. If we have an opening, we have lots and lots of people who want to come join us, and we have very few that want to leave. So, it can't be the worst job in the world."

"I have never in all my years been dissatisfied with any NetJets pilots. I'm not sure the union is representative of all the pilots," said Munger.

The talks between the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots' union and company management have dragged on for nearly two years. When asked by Fox Business Thursday night whether he'd get involved in the contentious discussions to bring about a resolution, Buffett said he would not.

"We have no anti-union agenda whatsoever. We think we have sensational pilots. I’ve flown NetJets for 20 years and it’s always been a good experience...I’m flying on NetJets, my kids are flying on NetJets.. I get the same planes and the same pilots as everyone else. We have very professional pilots but at the moment we have a difference of opinion."​
 
ATN_Pilot said:
The Oracle responds:

Buffett told Fox Business late this afternoon pilots are well compensated. "They're doing well and we're doing well. What we pay is higher than most of our competitors. They have terrific working conditions. If we have an opening, we have lots and lots of people who want to come join us, and we have very few that want to leave. So, it can't be the worst job in the world."

"I have never in all my years been dissatisfied with any NetJets pilots. I'm not sure the union is representative of all the pilots," said Munger.

The talks between the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots' union and company management have dragged on for nearly two years. When asked by Fox Business Thursday night whether he'd get involved in the contentious discussions to bring about a resolution, Buffett said he would not.

"We have no anti-union agenda whatsoever. We think we have sensational pilots. I’ve flown NetJets for 20 years and it’s always been a good experience...I’m flying on NetJets, my kids are flying on NetJets.. I get the same planes and the same pilots as everyone else. We have very professional pilots but at the moment we have a difference of opinion."​
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I wonder what his difference of opinion is?
 
Buffett flies NetJets constantly. He dumped his personal private jet years ago after buying NetJets. So does anyone say anything to him when you're flying him around?
 
ATN_Pilot said:
Buffett flies NetJets constantly. He dumped his personal private jet years ago after buying NetJets. So does anyone say anything to him when you're flying him around?
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Not sure why people are so afraid to voice their opinion to someone very high up if they are in contact with them. It is also probably hard though crossing the boss/customer line trying to give him the same service as everyone else.
 
Cessnaflyer said:
Not sure why people are so afraid to voice their opinion to someone very high up if they are in contact with them. It is also probably hard though crossing the boss/customer line trying to give him the same service as everyone else.
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He's not just a normal customer, though, anymore than the CEO of AirTran was a customer when he rode in the back. And trust me, we didn't hesitate to tell him what we thought. Granted, Buffett is not the CEO of NetJets, but he is of the parent company, so he's fair game. Be respectful, but speak up! Buffett doesn't micromanage his operating CEOs, but if he hears enough complaints, he'll probably say "hey Jordan, what's up with all of these complaints I've been getting lately?"
 
ATN_Pilot said:
Buffett flies NetJets constantly. He dumped his personal private jet years ago after buying NetJets. So does anyone say anything to him when you're flying him around?
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I've never flown him, so I'm not sure if anyone has ever addressed any issues with him personally. He is a customer, so when he is onboard the aircraft and using it in that capacity, I can't imagine that cornering him to discuss union issues would go over well. I'm not saying he wouldn't listen, but I almost guarantee a conversation with your chief pilot, director of ops, and the labor relations department would happen shortly thereafter.
 
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Cessnaflyer said:
Not sure why people are so afraid to voice their opinion to someone very high up if they are in contact with them. It is also probably hard though crossing the boss/customer line trying to give him the same service as everyone else.
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I agree, but there is a distinct difference between voicing your opinion to an employer in the right forum, time and place, and voicing that opinion to a paying customer who is travelling for business/personal reasons outside of Netjets. Yesterday, for example, was a great forum for pushing our issues to the forefront and forcing WB to make some comments on the record.
 
Well, sorry, but not much sympathy then. Stand up for yourself or put up with what you get. I never hesitated to tell the CEO what I thought, and I didn't give a damn what carpet dance I might be doing for doing so.
 
ATN_Pilot said:
Well, sorry, but not much sympathy then. Stand up for yourself or put up with what you get. I never hesitated to tell the CEO what I thought, and I didn't give a damn what carpet dance I might be doing for doing so.
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Never have asked for sympathy.

Engaging our management directly (one-on-one) has no effect. Since our CEO even admits that he came to Netjets "... without the encumbrance of knowledge or facts", there is no benefit to be gained from a one on one discussion...he just doesn't get it. They can discuss our issues with our negotiating committee.

I can assure you that I am confident in the direction the union is going, and am proud of how quickly our union has regained solid footing. I have participated in picketing in the past, and when the time comes again, I will be there again...and yes, with my wife and kids.
 
ATN_Pilot said:
Why? That's a union tradition.
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I know. And its pathetic. Its not like he's closing the only steel mill or coal mine in the area and entire families will now go hungry, homeless and become methheads. Its a bunch of people making 6 figures, home based, flying nice equipment. I think they should do whatever they think is in their best interest to make their lives better but bringing children? Children are the props in photo ops of POS politicians, hacks and frauds.
 
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