Spirits 30 Days clock starts

[critterair2]

Release #10.SPA3
May 12, 2010
Spirit Pilots to Management: Fair Contract by June 12—or Strike
Pilots to Mark Announcement with Picketing in Front of Spirit Headquarters in Miramar, Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE—Spirit pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced today that they have received confirmation of the 30-day cooling-off period from the National Mediation Board (NMB). The NMB has given the two sides until 12:01 a.m., Eastern time, Saturday, June 12, to reach an agreement on a new pilot contract. After that time, pilot leaders may call a lawful strike.
To mark this announcement, on Thursday, May 13, the pilots will conduct informational picketing outside Spirit company headquarters. The event will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida.
“During the past three years of negotiations, Spirit management has done everything imaginable to avoid giving our pilots a new contract that is in line with our peers at other low-cost carriers,” said Capt. Sean Creed, head of the Spirit unit of ALPA. “But the clock is now ticking. There’s no more time for games, stall tactics, or laughable proposals. It is time for them to get serious about delivering a contract that recognizes and rewards our contributions to this airline.”
“Every one of ALPA’s nearly 53,000 members at 38 airlines stands behind the Spirit pilots,” said Capt. John Prater, ALPA’s president. “Our international union is bringing its full weight of resources and more than seven decades of experience to bear to help the Spirit pilots get the contract they deserve.”
Spirit pilots have been in negotiations with their management for more than three years, much of that time with the help of a mediator. In February 2010, after more fruitless sessions with management, the pilots applied to the NMB for a proffer of arbitration. On May 3, the NMB proffered binding arbitration to both sides, which the pilots refused two days later. This refusal allowed the NMB to call for a 30-day cooling-off period, which begins today and ends at 12:01 a.m., June 12, Eastern time.
“We are hopeful that setting a deadline will force this management to come to the table with reasonable expectations and reasonable proposals,” continued Capt. Creed. “But make no mistake, without a contract on June 12—Spirit pilots will strike.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org

 

[justin15e]

Release #10.SPA3
May 12, 2010
Spirit Pilots to Management: Fair Contract by June 12—or Strike
Pilots to Mark Announcement with Picketing in Front of Spirit Headquarters in Miramar, Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE—Spirit pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced today that they have received confirmation of the 30-day cooling-off period from the National Mediation Board (NMB). The NMB has given the two sides until 12:01 a.m., Eastern time, Saturday, June 12, to reach an agreement on a new pilot contract. After that time, pilot leaders may call a lawful strike.
To mark this announcement, on Thursday, May 13, the pilots will conduct informational picketing outside Spirit company headquarters. The event will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida.
“During the past three years of negotiations, Spirit management has done everything imaginable to avoid giving our pilots a new contract that is in line with our peers at other low-cost carriers,” said Capt. Sean Creed, head of the Spirit unit of ALPA. “But the clock is now ticking. There’s no more time for games, stall tactics, or laughable proposals. It is time for them to get serious about delivering a contract that recognizes and rewards our contributions to this airline.”
“Every one of ALPA’s nearly 53,000 members at 38 airlines stands behind the Spirit pilots,” said Capt. John Prater, ALPA’s president. “Our international union is bringing its full weight of resources and more than seven decades of experience to bear to help the Spirit pilots get the contract they deserve.”
Spirit pilots have been in negotiations with their management for more than three years, much of that time with the help of a mediator. In February 2010, after more fruitless sessions with management, the pilots applied to the NMB for a proffer of arbitration. On May 3, the NMB proffered binding arbitration to both sides, which the pilots refused two days later. This refusal allowed the NMB to call for a 30-day cooling-off period, which begins today and ends at 12:01 a.m., June 12, Eastern time.
“We are hopeful that setting a deadline will force this management to come to the table with reasonable expectations and reasonable proposals,” continued Capt. Creed. “But make no mistake, without a contract on June 12—Spirit pilots will strike.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org

No one wants a strike. This is a sad day. However, a strike is a necessary evil to get what you deserve.

Good luck Spirit. Hopefully it won't come to a strike and management will come back to the table, but we support the effort and will be with you if it comes to a strike.

 

[Skippy]

Well pilots rejected proffer may 5. So soundS more like a 37 day coolong off period.
Spirit mgmnt will cave at the 12 th hour

 

[Shrek]

Well pilots rejected proffer may 5. So soundS more like a 37 day coolong off period.
Spirit mgmnt will cave at the 12 th hour

Totally agree.......it probably has been in the business plan since they started negotiations. They know exactly what will pass a vote on a new contract. That contract offer is tucked away on a secure PC and just needs to be printed up to hand to SPA ALPA 5 minutes after the strike begins. We will see....

 

[lostplnetairman]

On other forums people are actually stepping forward to say that they have been contacted to be Contract pilots (scabs) despite the fact that they don't have the experience. One cannot believe that the FAA would allow inexperienced pilots to fly an Airbus into the mountains of South America! We hope this is completely not true.

 

[Mike man]

On other forums people are actually stepping forward to say that they have been contacted to be Contract pilots (scabs) despite the fact that they don't have the experience. One cannot believe that the FAA would allow inexperienced pilots to fly an Airbus into the mountains of South America! We hope this is completely not true.

total bs...SPA management approached the faa last summer about a short qualification course (under the pretense of expediting recalls) and the faa said no way jose.

 

[LearLove]

Is it true (in contract talks) that the company has proposed to not give a yearly (longevity) raise unless the pilot flies 800 hours in the previous 12 months? If it is true that's crazy. How would a newhire/reserve pilot ever get off year one pay?

Best of Luck

 

[Mike man]

Is it true (in contract talks) that the company has proposed to not give a yearly (longevity) raise unless the pilot flies 800 hours in the previous 12 months? If it is true that's crazy. How would a newhire/reserve pilot ever get off year one pay?

Best of Luck

No...the number is 840 to move one step in pay, it is also retro active. They take the total hours you have flown at Spirit and divide it by 840 to get your new longevity step, everyone would move down several steps.

 

[LearLove]

No...the number is 840 to move one step in pay, it is also retro active. They take the total hours you have flown at Spirit and divide it by 840 to get your new longevity step, everyone would move down several steps.

That's horse sh!t. Like I've said before people, this is why we make baseball bats.

 

[Old Crow]

I agree this is a very sad deal. Unions are needed for this reason. Lone management groups who feel it their calling to develop a business plan that doesn't include the industry compensation will find themselves getting schooled by the industry. The cost and sacrifice of this career demands a compensation and work rule that allows more than an average life style. I stand behind everyone at Spirit and applaud your vote of confidence supporting your industry.