Pilots Union Adds To Claims in NetJets Lawsuit

The NetJets pilots’ union amended a lawsuit it filed in December to allege that the fractional ownership provider is engaged in an unlawful intimidation campaign designed to “ultimately destroy the union.” The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, which represents approximately 2,700 NetJets pilots, originally filed a suit against NetJets claiming violation of the Federal Railway Labor Act and Stored Communications Act. NetJets, the suit claims, obtained private communications, conducted surveillance of legal protected union activities and threatened to blacklist union supporters and retaliate. The amendment adds new allegations that the company is threatening pilots by referring to job losses at the bankrupt Hostess Brands. The union cites as an example messages on social media such as “Remember the Hostess motto: Sweetest Comeback ever.”

The union said it is seeking a court order to prevent NetJets from accessing the confidential union message board, along with punitive damages for corporate misconduct.

NetJets is not commenting on the lawsuit. But on a website directed at employees, the company stresses, “The use of social media in a manner that has the potential to damage the brand that our team members have worked so hard over the last 50 years to build is irresponsible and unnecessary.”

NetJets and the union have been negotiating a new contract.