MIRAMAR, Fla., Feb. 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Airlines and its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced the ratification of a new five-year working agreement Wednesday. Of the 98 percent of pilots who voted, 70 percent cast ballots in favor of the agreement.
“This agreement increases our annual compensation, delivers job protections, and maintains important quality-of-life protections,” said Capt. Stuart Morrison, chairman of the Spirit unit of ALPA. “The agreement also significantly improves the ability of Spirit Airlines to attract and retain the highest quality of pilots available.”
Spirit Airlines’ agreement with ALPA includes an average 43 percent increase in pay rates on date of signing, double-digit direct contributions to pilots’ retirement plans, and $75 million in ratification compensation.
"We are very pleased to reach this important agreement with our pilots," said Robert Fornaro, Spirit’s Chief Executive Officer. "Our new contract will give our pilots a deserved increase in pay and benefits, and will allow the airline to operate more efficiently and reliably so we can even better serve our guests. I want to thank our mediators from the National Mediation Board and our negotiators from ALPA and Spirit.”
The ratification of this agreement represents three years of contract negotiations, including nearly two years at the bargaining table with the assistance of the NMB.
“I want to congratulate the Spirit bargaining team and the pilot group’s leadership for achieving much-needed improvements in the cornerstone areas of their contract,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA president. “Under their leadership, this group emerged from mediated negotiations with the pay increases and job security provisions our pilots have long deserved.”
About Spirit Airlines:
Spirit Airlines (NYSE:SAVE) is committed to offering the lowest total price to the places we fly, on average much lower than other airlines, on average more than 30% less*. Our Guests start with an unbundled Bare Fare™ and get Frill Control™ which allows them to pay only for the options they choose – like bags, seat assignments and refreshments – the things other airlines bake right into their ticket prices. We help people save money and travel more often, create new jobs and stimulate business growth in the communities we serve. Our Fit Fleet is one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient in the U.S. We operate more than 450 daily flights to 61 destinations in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Come save with us at spirit.com.
*U.S. Department of Transportation statistics
About Spirit ALPA:
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing over 60,000 pilots at 34 airlines in the United States and Canada, including the over 1,800 pilots of Spirit Airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
MEDIA NOTE: Spirit aircraft photos and video b-roll are available in the press room section of spirit.com at http://www.spirit.com/Pressrelease.aspx.
Contact: Stephen Schuler
954-364-0231
Stephen.Schuler@spirit.com
En Español: Manuel Jaquez
954-628-4898
Manuel.Jaquez@spirit.com