A group of union workers at Netjets took their contract dispute to the streets today. Nearly three dozen members of Teamsters Local 284 walked informational picket lines near the company's Columbus offices at Easton.
Netjets is a private firm that manages 600 aircraft worldwide and has a large operation in Columbus. A large share of its business comes from corporate businesses which buy fractional ownership of its jets.
On Friday, a group of fuelers, stock clerks, cleaners and mechanics carried papaerboard placards and wore bright yellow shirts to draw attention to their contract dispute with management. Mechanic Tom Piteo says he's surprised no agreement has been reached.
Union steward, Charles Morrison says negotiations have been going on since March of 2005. He says the picketers are increasingly frustrated by the lack of a pay increase and about the company's use of contract labor.
Morrison says more talks are scheduled early next week. Netjets spokeswoman Maryann Arseth declined specific comment on the contract dispute. Arseth said only that the company "will continue to move forward to a mutually agreeable resolution."