Spirits cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages wont be worth much if their pilots go out on strike on June 12th which they claim they will do if they do not get a new contract.
The pilots union has refused to accept binding arbitration to resolve the dispute. According to the union, Spirit management has done everything conceivable to avoid giving the pilots a new contract that is competitive with their peers at other low cost airlines. Spirits claim to fame of reducing and controlling cost may lead to its undoing.
Spirit says that it still wants to negotiate a pilot contract. However it also warned of possible job reductions.
Spirit and the Air Line Pilots Associations have been released from negotiations by the National Mediation Board, which means a 30 day cooling off period has commenced. Afterward either the union can strike or the airline can lock out its pilots.
Spirit says that it wants a pilot contract that ensures the long term stability and growth of the company and provides rewarding and stable careers for its pilots.
Negotiations have been ongoing over the past three plus years with the union claiming little or no progress being made. It is frustrated that management demanded employees accept big benefits cuts while the company was profitable.
Spirit likes to describe itself as an ultra low cost airline.
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