Spirit Airlines has long touted itself as the ULCC--Ultra Low Cost Carrier. Unfortunately, they also provide Ultra Low Compensation to their pilots--pilots who have built this airline from a charter company to a force in the Carribean and Latin American travel market. Management executives continues to cut benefits, ignore contract stipulations, and violate agreements in an effort to make up for rising gas prices, falling demand, and poor management decisions; all while offering $9 fares.
Spirit Pilots Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike May 15 - Union leaders for the pilots of Spirit Airlines, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced today that they have been authorized by their pilots to call for a lawful withdrawal of services if stalled negotiations do not result in a new contract. (read the full message)
Strike Authorization Vote: A Message from the Spirit MEC Chair April 14 - MEC Chair, Sean Creed, encourages all Spirit pilots to vote in favor of strike authorization. (read the full message)
Court Date Changed to Wednesday, May 13 April 9 - The court date for Spirit Airline's motion to dismiss ALPA's lawsuit has been postponed until May 13. Oral arguments will be put before the Honorable Avern Cohn at thee United States District Court, Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, 231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, Michigan.
Company Responds to ALPA's Lawsuit March 30 - Spirit Airlines files brief in support of its motion to dismiss the ALPA's lawsuit. Oral arguments will be
held on Wednesday, April 15, before the Detroit Federal Court. (read the brief)
Don't Come Crying to this Airline March 28 - New York Times publishes article about Spirit Airline's business plan (full article)
Arbitration Board Settles Dispute Between ALPA, Spirit Airlines Over Days Off March 20 - Daily Labor Reporter covers arbitration victory (full article)
ALPA Files Reply Brief in Detroit Federal Court Affadavit provides a short history of ALPA's attempts to bargain in good faith (reply brief)
Spirit Airlines Pilots Score Major Arbitration Victory Decision Enforces Work Rule and Quality-of-Life Contract Provisions March 17 - Spirit Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today hailed an arbitration panel decision that orders Spirit management to abide by the current collective bargaining agreement. (press release)
Spirit Pilots Come Together as Labor Situation Worsens
February 20 - In the last few months, Spirit pilots have been gathering up to four times a month to discuss the worsening labor situation with management. These meetings, conducted by the MEC’s Strategic Planning and Strike Committee (SPSC) and held near layover hotels in both Fort Lauderdale and Detroit, allow the MEC to update the pilots and discuss the status of negotiations in an informal setting. more
Spirit Pilots Condemn Alcohol Ads on Flight Attendant Aprons Pilots Support Flight Attendants in Demanding End to Offensive Marketing Campaigns
January 26 - Spirit Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today announced strong support for the Spirit Airlines flight attendants union in its demand that Spirit Airlines management end offensive marketing strategies. On top of the many Spirit Airlines campaigns that contain crude sexual innuendo, management has now asked that the flight attendants wear aprons advertising alcoholic beverages. (press release)
Spirit Management Demands Harsh Concessions from Pilots Pilots asked to pay the cost of management’s ambitious expansion plans
January 26 - Spirit Airline pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), this week rejected a new contract proposal from management that would force deep concessions in pay, benefits, and work rules. The proposal comes within weeks of the airline’s announcing plans to expand service in the Caribbean and United States. It also negates more than 30 months of contract talks (including reneging on 30 different tentative agreements reached over this period) and would further solidify the pilots’ contract as the worst in the industry. (press release)
Spirit Pilots Protest Contract Violations, Furloughs October 10 - Spirit pilots walked the picket line yesterday at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), demanding that Spirit Airlines management honor its commitments. Joined by fellow union members from Mesaba, Midwest, Comair, and Delta, the Spirit pilots conducted their second informational picket in as many months. The two-hour event garnered plenty of media attention, including coverage from the Detroit Free Press, NPR, and a local network affiliate. (press release)
Your Association has been informed that a Vacancy bid is being planned for 8 Captains and 17 First Officers which will result in recall notices for approximately 25 to 30 First Officers effective December 1st. The reasons for the staffing increase is irrelevant, notwithstanding, we certainly welcome the news. Welcome Back Folks……
Sean's Creed
The latest message from Spirit MEC Chairman, Sean Creed Feb. 3, 2009
