Spirit pilots ratify contract

By Palm Beach Business.com

FORT LAUDERDALE — Spirit Airlines pilots have ratified a new contract that bumps their pay institutes new work rules. Nearly three quarters of the pilots, members of the Air Line Pilots Association International, voted in favor of the new deal.

The union negotiated for four years and staged a five-day strike in June before reaching a deal with Miramar-based Spirit.

 “The ratification of this contract brings years of negotiations to the only conclusion this pilot group would accept — a fair contract that recognizes our value to this airline,” pilot Sean Creed said. “This contract, and the strong vote that puts it into effect, is a direct result of this pilot group’s unwavering resolve.”

The new five-year deal goes into effect as soon as it is signed, immediately increasing hourly wages by an average of 10 percent for captains and 18 percent for first officers, giving pilots a well-deserved share of the company’s strong profits over the past years. In addition, the entire pilot group will receive a substantial signing bonus. The agreement also clarifies work rules, puts in writing long-standing operations practices, while providing the company with additional flexibility on scheduling.

Spirit pilots began bargaining for a new contract in October 2006. In July 2008, the pilots applied to the National Mediation Board for mediation under the Railway Labor Act.
On May 12, the NMB declared an impasse and, when the offer of binding arbitration was rejected, started the 30-day countdown to a strike, which began June 12. It ended five days later when the pilots and Spirit reached the deal approved Friday.