MIRAMAR, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
On Tuesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 7, Spirit pilots, as
represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), held
informational picketing events outside Spirit headquarters in
Miramar, Fla. More than 200 pilots from Spirit, as well as United,
JetBlue, Frontier, Southwest, and American, walked in unison in front of
the corporate headquarters to press the company to provide
industry-standard compensation, including pay scales, profit sharing,
and retirement. The pilots also picketed Tuesday outside Spirit ticket
counters at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.
"We came out to the company headquarters because Spirit management needs
to see firsthand the unity of this pilot group," said Capt. Stuart
Morrison, chairman of the Spirit unit of ALPA. "We also picketed at the
airport because Spirit customers should be aware of our situation. While
our company makes record profits, Spirit pilots' compensation continues
to significantly lag that of our peers."
For nearly two years, the pilots have been in negotiations with the
company. This past July, the two sides agreed to enter into mediated
talks in the hope of reaching a deal. The pilots have repeatedly
expressed the need to be brought up to the compensation enjoyed by
pilots flying similar routes and aircraft. Currently, depending on
longevity with their respective airlines, a Spirit pilot could receive
total compensation less than half of that of a pilot at a competitor
airline.
Spirit Airlines (NASDAQ: SAVE) is one of the fastest-growing airlines in
the United States and has aggressive hiring plans. Spirit pilots have
raised concerns that, without a contract that includes industry-standard
compensation, Spirit will be unable to retain or attract qualified
pilots and sustain its growth.
"As Spirit continues to grow, a contract that includes industry-standard
pay rates, profit sharing, and retirement is vital to maintaining a
qualified and dedicated pilot workforce," continued Capt. Morrison.
"Spirit pilots will do whatever it takes to achieve an industry-standard
contract."
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing
more than 54,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the United States and Canada.
Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org
or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
Stay connected with ALPA
https://www.facebook.com/WeAreALPA
https://twitter.com/WeAreALPa
http://www.flickr.com/photos/airlinepilotsassociation
http://www.youtube.com/user/WeAreALPA
http://www.linkedin.com/company/air-line-pilots-association
https://instagram.com/we_are_alpa/
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161208006260/en/
