Netjets airline has sued the 3400-member Netjets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) after the association criticized the company's commitment to safety. The lawsuit was filed in state court in Columbus, Ohio, and seeks unspecified damages. The relationship between the company and NJASAP has long been contentious.
The pilots' association NJASAP raised concerns about Netjets' pilot training and safety culture, which the company considered defamatory. NJASAP President Pedro Leroux called the lawsuit an attempt to silence the union. Netjets accuses the association of damaging the company's reputation through press releases and social media posts.
Netjets also responded to advertisements and statements that suggested the company was not sufficiently concerned about the safety of its flights. The airline also disputes claims that new pilots are inadequately trained.
The lawsuit is another chapter in a long dispute between Netjets and the NJASAP. The union previously sued Netjets for allegedly interfering in its contract negotiations, a case that was dismissed. Netjets is part of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's company, and employs thousands of people worldwide. The majority of them are not unionized. Warren Buffett had previously stated that Berkshire had no anti-union intentions.