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84 Percent of Voters Ratify New Five-Year Agreement WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilots at NetJets overwhelmingly ratified a five-year contract by more than a 5-1 margin in favor of the new agreement that increases wages, offers job security and improves the quality of life for pilots at Berkshire Hathaways fractional airline company. "This contract marks an outstanding victory for our pilots," said Bill Olsen, President of Teamsters Local 1108 in Columbus, Ohio. "This sets the standard for business jet pilots in the jet industry. It was a long, hard fight, but our members stayed the course." In contract talks with NetJets since October 2001, the union leadership sought fair wages and benefits along with a decent quality of life for its members. The membership rejected by 82 percent a tentative agreement presented in August 2004, but union officials feel this agreement addressees many of the issues. "This is an unprecedented contract," said Don Treichler, Teamsters Airline Division Director. "This takes the workers up to the level of the legacy carriers in terms of wages, working conditions and benefits." The agreement secures, on average, a 40 to 60 percent increase in pay based on years of service and equipment operated. While wage increases were an important part of the agreement, adding language that offers improvements for the quality of life for NetJets pilots was also a priority. "With this agreement a better future for the pilots and families can be assured," Olsen said. "NetJets will no longer be a stepping stone to a career in the aviation industry, but rather a company where pilots remain for their career." The NetJets pilot force, consisting of more than 2,000 pilots, is part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1108.