Teamsters Local 1224 Pledges Full Support, Spirit Says It Will Keep Flying

As pilots for Spirit Airline near the end of a 30 day cooling-off period which is necessary prior to any labor action, Teamsters Local 1224 crewmembers say they are preparing to stand behind them. "Teamsters Local 1224 and Local 747 strongly support the pilots of Spirit as they are nearing the end of their 30-day cooling-off period," said Teamsters Local 1224 President Joe Muckle. "We are familiar with the challenges they are facing because their struggle for fair wages and working conditions has, unfortunately, become a common struggle across the piloting profession."

Teamsters Local 1224 and Local 747 issued an announcement Tuesday to all their members encouraging them to participate in informational picketing organized by the pilots of Spirit. Additionally, should a strike or a lock-out occur at the end of the 30-day cooling off period, Teamsters Locals 1224 and 747 have vowed to refuse to cross picket lines. "Spirit Airlines claims that its ultra low cost approach liberates customers from being forced into paying for services they do not desire. I am sure their clientele do not consider having well-qualified, safe, professional pilots at the controls an "option." Spirit Airlines is a profitable company; their pilots deserve to share in this success, and their customers expect their cockpit crews to be properly compensated for their dedication, professionalism, and high level skill set," said Joe Muckle.

Following its declaration of a negotiating impasse, the National Mediation Board released Spirit Airlines' pilots and management to a 30-day cooling-off period. During this time, both parties are required to preserve the status quo, which means that management must maintain the same wages and working conditions and the pilots must refrain from any withdraw of service. If no agreement is reached by the end of the 30 days on June 12, the parties are then permitted to engage in self-help activities such as the imposition of new contract conditions by management or a strike by the pilots.

The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight deck crewmembers of cargo and passenger airlines. Its members include ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Kalitta Air, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and Teamsters Local 747. Teamsters Local 747 represents the flight crewmembers of Arrow Air, Horizon Air, Gulfstream, Miami Air, Omni Air, Republic Holdings, and USA 3000.

The 30 day cooling-off period ends on Saturday. Spirit said in a news release Tuesday that negotiations continue this week in Washington, D.C. between Spirit and its pilot union at the National Mediation Board. The airline says many issues have been resolved, and negotiations this week are focused on the remaining issues which center around pay rate and productivity.

Spirit says it is committed to reaching a fair and equitable deal, the company has also developed plans to continue operations and is working with customers whose flights may be affected.

FMI: www.teamsters.org, www.spiritair.com