by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:20 AM ET, Sat July 28, 2018
JetBlue announced Friday it had ratified a new four-year contract with its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA).
Out of the 98 percent of JetBlue pilots who voted on the deal, 74 percent agreed to the contractual terms. The competitive pay rates, per diems and 401(k) provisions will take effect August 1.
Negotiations between the airline and its pilots originally began in 2015, but it wasn't until the National Mediation Board (NMB) got involved in 2017 that the two sides started to make true progress on the new deal.
"I appreciate the hard work and dedication of both the ALPA and JetBlue negotiating teams in coming to an agreement that is fair for our pilots and that allows JetBlue to continue to grow, compete and succeed," JetBlue COO Joanna Geraghty said in a statement. "Thank you to our entire pilot group for their commitment to safety and for delivering the JetBlue experience to our customers throughout the negotiation process and every day."
JetBlue carries more than 40 million customers a year to over 100 cities in the United States, Caribbean and Latin America with an average of 1,000 daily flights. The airline is also a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Orlando, and San Juan.
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