July 23, 2024
Participants for AMFA
Earl Clark – Region I Director
Will Abbott – Region II Director
Jason Salazar – Airline Representative
Ernest Harris – Member at Large
Samuel Seham – Legal Counsel
Participants for Spirit Airlines
Robert Jones – Vice President, Labor Relations
Jackson Fowler – Corporate Counsel – Labor Relations
Barney Whaley – Regional Director Maintenance
Joe Harmon– Sr. Manager, Maintenance
Tabitha Rybacki – Paralegal, Labor Relations
The AMFA-Spirit Negotiating Committee (the “Committee”) is providing this update to the Membership at Spirit Airlines (“Spirit”). This is the only officially authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee.
The parties held a three-day bargaining session, July 16-18, in Fort Lauderdale to continue bargaining toward a first collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) for the Spirit group. This was our second session in mediation with the National Mediation Board (“Board”).
On Day One, AMFA passed proposals on articles related to Field Service, Seniority, and Furlough and Recall. The Union continues to advocate for an ordered field service system that protects employees from unexpected schedule disruptions and adequately compensates them for the burdens of travel. Recently, the focus of the Seniority Article has been to ensure that employees receive credit for their time and investment in the bargaining unit and cannot be displaced by supervisory or non-union employees. Similarly, the Union’s proposal on Furlough and Recall is intended to create an ordered system that respects accrued seniority.
Also on Day One, the Company returned proposals for Seniority, No-Strike/No-Lockout, and Leaves of Absence. Spirit continues to insist on the right of its managers to return to the bargaining unit with no loss in seniority. Its proposal on Seniority encourages management free riders, who will profit from a contract won by your hard work and solidarity. The Company’s pass on Leaves of Absence came in well below both industry standards and agreements reached with other unionized groups on the Spirit property.
During Day Two, the Company presented a proposal for Hours of Service. This article addresses format and start times of shifts, lead schedules, lunch times, and washing up periods. AMFA’s proposal for Hours of Service focused on improving working conditions through reasonable shift times and uninterrupted lunch periods. It also seeks to minimize disruptions created by frequent re-bidding or shift re-alignments. AMFA also countered the Company’s Seniority and Leaves of Absence proposals.
On Day Three, AMFA passed proposals for Training and No-Strike/No-Lockout. With respect to hotel accommodations for training, the parties came to a consensus that an employee would not be required to use their own credit card for booking or check-in. Spirit presented counters on Leaves of Absence and Field Service.
While the parties made some progress on issues related to work rules, the Company has so far failed to make any counterproposal with respect to economic issues. Months ago, AMFA sought economic data from the Company to ensure that discussions around economic issues are as productive as possible. The Company has provided no data, and the requests remain pending.
While on campus, the AMFA bargaining team was invited to tour the new Spirit Operations Control Center. We met several maintenance control bargaining unit members and would like to thank everyone for their hospitality and interest in the bargaining process. We were struck by your professionalism and dedication to the craft.
The parties have scheduled bargaining for August 13-16 (Philadelphia) and October 8-10 (Tampa), with an additional virtual session tentatively scheduled in September.
Remember – stay engaged, remain informed, and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the ability to bargain a CBA your hard work deserves.
Fraternally,
AMFA-Spirit Negotiating Committee
