Spirit Airlines pledged to keep flying passengers even if its pilots follow through on a threatened strike that could begin this Saturday. Though it offered few specifics, Spirit says it plans to work with other airlines to keep flying if its pilots walk off the job.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel writes that Pinson's statement from Tuesday "comes as the … carrier is locked in last-minute talks this week with pilot representatives in Washington, D.C., at the National Mediation Board. While it seems some progress is being made, it's unclear if it will be enough to avert a strike."
The South Florida Business Journal comments: "contract negotiations have been ongoing for more than three years. Spirit pilots, on average, make less than pilots who work for other low-cost carriers, (Capt. Sean Creed, head of the Air Line Pilot Association's Spirit unit), said. The company has said that it has offered the pilots double-digit percentage salary boosts."
The Spirit Airlines pilot strike could delay thousands on their way to and from work. Spirit Airlines is a main carrier out of and into New York with about 12 flights every day.
South Florida's CBS 4 reports on its website that "Spirit pilots have marked June 12 as strike day, and have been warning travelers about possible flight cancellations through billboards in Spirit's three major hubs in Ft. Lauderdale, Detroit and Atlantic City."
Spirit Airlines pilots warn customers about a possible work stoppage via billboard ads in South Florida, Detroit and Atlantic City. The Spirit Airlines pilots are striking after they were offered a $70 million pay increase package.
“Spirit pilots are willing to withdraw their services to get the contract they deserve,” said Captain John Prater, president of ALPA. “Every one of the 53,000 pilots of ALPA stands with them as they go on strike. As pilots, our livelihood is in the air—not on the picket line—but the inability of Spirit management to negotiate a contract that adequately compensates our professional members has created this dispute. I urge Spirit management to reconsider their position on the value of their experienced and professional airline pilots.”
The union, Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), says in their press release: "The strike comes after nearly four years of contract negotiations and numerous attempts by the pilots to find a middle ground with management and avoid a strike. All Spirit pilots, especially first officers, have been working at below-market rates for years, and under substandard work rules."
The union was offered a 30% increase in pay by Spirit Airlines which they declined. Spirit Airlines Update on ALPA Negotiations: Pilots turn down a 30% increase over the next five years and a $3,000 signing bonus per pilot.
For those customers whose flights are cancelled, Spirit is processing a credit for the full amount of the flight, as well as providing a $100 future flight credit.
Customers who made their reservation prior to May 11, 2010 directly with Spirit and purchased travel insurance should call Travel Guard at 866-877-3191 if their flight has been cancelled.
About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (www.spiritair.com) is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. As the unbundling leader in the industry, Spirit allows consumers the option of paying only for the features they value without subsidizing the choices of others. Its all-Airbus fleet, the youngest in the U.S., flies more than 150 daily flights to 40 destinations. The company is based in South Florida.
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق