Spirit Air Pilots move toward possible strike

[Grandpa +65]

Spirit Air pilots move toward possible strike
Comments14| Recommend 10h 8m ago from USA TODAY

Pilots at Spirit Airlines announced earlier this week that they plan "to ask for a release from federally-mediated contract talks. If the National Mediation Board grants the request, pilots could strike ... after a 30-day cooling-off period," according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. In a letter to management, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) accused Spirit of "blatantly violating a number of crucial work rules in the current contract and for claiming it had the unilateral right to do so whenever it wanted to save money," according to CBS 4 of Doral, Fla.
The Miami Herald (free registration) says that if the National Mediation Board "acts quickly, it could lead to a strike in a little over a month at the earliest, said Art Luby, ALPA assistant director of representation. Spirit pilots said they are entering their third year of negotiations for a new contract." In a press release, ALPA warns that a release from contract talks "could lead to a work stoppage." Spirit officials did not comment to any of the media covering the story.

 

[Flyer1015]

Good luck getting released!

If only Pinnacle could get released too.........

 

[BR715]

Atleast someone has the balls!

 

[Mike man]

...just thinking about those tender little White Castle burgers with those little, itty-bitty grilled onions that just explode in your mouth like flavor crystals every time you bite into one... just makes me want to burn this mother%#@&er down.

 

[gatorbird]

Good luck getting released!

If only Pinnacle could get released too.........

This isn't so much about obtaining a quick release from arbitration; ALPA (both MEC and National level) doesn't believe it will happen quickly either.

The objective (at least IMHO) is to attract media and public (yeah right--they care) attention to what is happening over here. It's another egg-on-management's-face strategy, and we could have a henhouse by the amount of that.

For those of you unfamiliar, in the last few months, Spirit management has:

1) Changed our 401-k provider without any counsel from our retirement committee (to a worse provider, of course).

2) Defying status-quo, changed the way we are paid by going to a wheel hub moving over all doors closed.

3) Disregarded one of the best QOL provisions in our contract (minimum 4 days off between pairings) and built our schedules as they see fit. It was determined last week that the company could have built them with this provision, had less opentime, and SAVED money! They (Director of Crew Planning) openly admitted these points, yet refused to resubmit the bid package. JM also stated that this order came from Board of Directors (Franke, Orenstein, and the other all-star cast on our board).

4) Performed numerous (most bogus) NOIs in an effort to intimidate the pilot group.

It should be noted that items 2 and 3 above will be won in grievances filed due to past practice (close to 10 years worth). The fact that Spirit management would blatantly waste money and resources on something guaranteed to lose in court is utterly irresponsible.

ALPA attorney Art Luby stated in his letter to management (CC'd to the pilot group) that there is no need for ALPA to waste money and resources on negotiating a new contract for us if Spirit management is not going to honor our current one. That is his stated logic in the request for release from mediated sessions.

We, as a pilot group, understand that this is not a good economic environment to negotiate a favorable contract. We cannot, however, allow management to totally disregard our compensation and QOL provisions set forth in our current CBA. If we crack the door, they will assuredly knock it down.

gator

 

[Colonel Savage]

"2) Defying status-quo, changed the way we are paid by going to a wheel hub moving over all doors closed."

Can you explain this? Particulary the "moving all doors closed" part. Thank you...

 

[Colonel Savage]

"ALPA attorney Art Luby stated in his letter to management (CC'd to the pilot group) that there is no need for ALPA to waste money and resources on negotiating a new contract for us if Spirit management is not going to honor our current one. That is his stated logic in the request for release from mediated sessions."

Very sound argument. Hope that works out for you.

 

[Mike man]

"2) Defying status-quo, changed the way we are paid by going to a wheel hub moving over all doors closed."

Contractually and historically we are paid when all the doors are closed. June 1st the company reprogrammed the ACARS to record the out time when the wheels move. So when you are in LGA sitting at the gate with the doors closed, waiting for someone to clear the alley we are not getting paid.

 

[spinproof]

"2) Defying status-quo, changed the way we are paid by going to a wheel hub moving over all doors closed."

Can you explain this? Particulary the "moving all doors closed" part. Thank you...

I believe he's refering to "out" or "block" time out starting when the gear starts rolling instead of upon the main door closing. The time between door closure and actual pushback being the difference.
Rats Mike beat me......

 

[McNugget]

Go ahead and shut it down. After all, there are lots of airlines hiring pilots, and it will be easy to find another job!