Former JetBlue employees accusing the airline of shaving wages, denying breaks and forcing off-the-clock work are now asking a Washington judge to halt what they call an aggressive campaign to squeeze potential class members into signing away their rights. They say JetBlue is using impending downsizing as leverage—dangling uncertainty like a storm cloud to compel quick settlements.
Workers Say JetBlue Used Downsizing Talks as a Trap
On Nov. 10, plaintiffs led by Charles Jackson filed for a preliminary injunction aimed at blocking JetBlue Airways Corp. from striking deals with putative class members. According to their motion, the airline summoned employees to meetings in late October, ostensibly to discuss severance or relocation options following a downsizing announcement. But once workers gathered, JetBlue allegedly shifted the conversation to pending litigation—and introduced settlement agreements designed to cut off their claims.
“After assembling the employees, JetBlue announced a second matter—the lawsuit,” the plaintiffs wrote. “Assuring workers the company wanted to ‘do good’ and ‘stay ahead,’ JetBlue then offered settlements.”
Jackson, who supported customer service and baggage operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2023, filed the proposed class action in April with co-plaintiffs Vanessa Castillo Barragan, Consuela Robinson, and Chloe James.
