Membership Will Vote In New Contract Terms In September

Spirit Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have reached a tentative agreement with management on a new contract that includes immediate economic improvements, as well as protection of industry-leading healthcare and key quality of life provisions. The agreement, reached with the assistance of the National Mediation Board (NMB), would cover the nearly 1,400 flight attendants and more as the airline continues to grow.

"The outstanding contributions by Spirit flight attendants have been a big part of the success of our airline," said Todd St. Pierre, AFA President at Spirit. "Through the unwavering support of Spirit flight attendants, our union was able to achieve substantial gains. Our voice has been heard."

Terms of the agreement were unanimously approved by AFA's Spirit Airlines leadership, will now be sent to the membership for ratification. The leadership unanimously recommends a vote in favor of the agreement. Voting instructions will be mailed on September 10 and the results of electronic balloting will be announced immediately following the vote close on October 1 at Noon Eastern Time. Full details of the tentative agreement will not be made public until the Spirit AFA membership has had an opportunity to review the terms.

This deal follows the overwhelming rejection of an earlier management offer by the union's membership. The union re-tooled its proposals based on the members' feedback following that earlier vote, incorporated changes to reflect that membership input and pressed management for substantial economic improvements. AFA credited the NMB's Senior Mediator Pat Sims and Mediator Mike Tosi with guiding the negotiations to a successful conclusion.

FMI: www.afacwa.org