Company informs Union of intent to proceed with NJI/NJA integration

COLUMBUS (09/16/08) – NetJets Aviation, Inc., (NJA) has officially notified NJASAP of its decision to resolve the single-carrier issue by recognizing NJA and NetJets International (NJI) as a single-carrier system. Executive Board President Dennis Cotton was notified of the Company’s plan to proceed with the integration via correspondence dated Sept. 15 from Vice President of Labor and Employee Relations Michael Maratto. In his letter Maratto writes the Company will recognize each carrier “as a single transportation system for purposes of collective bargaining under the Railway Labor Act with employees in the craft or class of pilot.”

Letter of Agreement 01-013, which was signed Dec. 7, 2007, provides the protocol for resolving the single-carrier issue. The integration is expected to conclude before Nov. 21, 2010, or when NJA serves a Final Integration Notice, informing the Union the two entities have commenced one operation.

“The Company’s decision to work in cooperation with our Association as it integrates its domestic and international operations clearly conveys NJA’s commitment to and respect for a strong labor-management partnership,” Executive Board President Dennis Cotton said. “It is, indeed, a tremendously important first step toward resolving what could have been a very contentious issue.”

Yesterday’s developments will have the added bonus of strengthening NJASAP as additional members are welcomed to its ranks. We strongly encourage each NJASAP member to extend a warm welcome when crossing paths with NJI pilots in the weeks and months to come. We need to put our collective best foot forward and provide our new members with the best possible first impression.

While many months of hard work await NJASAP leaders as they prepare for and engage in integration-related discussions, the integration, like the NJASAP disaffiliation, could prove to be a watershed event in labor-management relations. This could, quite possibly, be the first merger completed as employer and employee group work cooperatively – on the same side of the table – with a focus on securing the best possible outcome for all stakeholders.