The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division and Local 1108 filed a motion for contempt and injunctive relief against Flexjet and Flight Options on Oct. 25, following the company's continued failure to bargain in good faith with the Teamsters.
The Teamsters represent over 600 pilots working for Flexjet and Flight Options, luxury jet carriers for the ultra-wealthy that operate under the umbrella of aviation conglomerate OneSky Flight, LLC.
This latest court filing comes on the heels of a Teamsters federal court injunctive legal victory in May against the company, compelling it to come to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with the union. But the company has failed to comply with that court order. The Teamsters won the right to represent the combined Flexjet and Flight Options pilot group in a National Mediation Board union election in December 2015.
"The company's position in negotiations is untenable and unacceptable," said Capt. David Bourne, director of the Teamsters Airline Division. "We have won on the ballot and we have won in court because this company is denying our members of their rights in the workplace. The message to management is clear: come to the table and negotiate with the Teamsters."
"We are standing together to tell Kenn Ricci that enough is enough," said Capt. Efrem Vojta, president of Local 1108. "We will hold individuals in management personally liable for their actions against our members. Justice is on our side and we will win this battle and get a fair contract for workers at Flexjet and Flight Options."
The motion for contempt was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. A date for a preliminary hearing will be determined soon.
