July 4, 2025
Participants for AMFA
Jason Salazar – Airline Representative
Ernest Harris – Member at Large
Earl Clark – Region I Director
Pat Amore – National Vice President
Lucas Middlebrook – Legal Counsel
Peter Manikowski – Economist
Participants for Spirit Airlines
Robert Jones – Vice President, Labor Relations
Barney Whaley – Regional Director, Maintenance
Joe Harmon– Sr. Manager, Maintenance
Kimberly Maya – Human Resources
Tabitha Rybacki – Paralegal
The AMFA-Spirit Negotiating Committee (the “Committee”) is providing this update to the Membership at Spirit Airlines (“Spirit”). This is the only official source of negotiating communications by the Committee.
The Parties held a three-day bargaining session, June 24-26, 2025, in Chicago to continue bargaining toward a first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the Spirit group. This was our ninth session in mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB).
On Day One, the Parties started with the respective updates from Spirit and AMFA. We also discussed the Company’s possibilities for overtime selection within the existing time-keeping system. After those discussions, AMFA presented its counterproposal on Article 5 – Hours of Service in an attempt to align on shift start times, meal periods, bidding, temporary assignments, trade days, and other topics. We had extensive discussions with the Company and the NMB Mediator about this proposal and the open issues.
On Day Two, the Company presented a counterproposal on Classifications – Article 4. Discussions continue regarding the idea of a Lead Inspector position if Spirit was to grow, the description of the work you do, bump-up inspector selection, and how you would obtain and maintain the Senior AMT “Designation” under a new CBA. We appreciated the Company’s proposal, and the differences within this Article are narrowing.
After an off-the-record discussion, the Company then passed a counterproposal on Article 21 - Transportation and Moving Expenses. This includes non-rev pass travel for current Employees and retirees going forward. The Company’s proposal left just a few small areas where further negotiations were needed. One area where there is a difference is the amount you would be reimbursed for a Company-paid move. The Parties then caucused and worked separately.
In the afternoon on Day Two, AMFA responded with another counterproposal on Article 21 - Travel and Moving Expenses that moved the Parties closer together. The Parties spent the rest of the day working on proposals and in talks with the Mediator.
To start Day Three, the Company made another counterproposal on Article 21 – Transportation and Moving Expenses, further bringing the Parties into alignment. The Company then made a proposal on Article 5 – Hours of Service. The Parties continue careful discussions on the scheduling issues in this Article.
At the end of the day, the Parties tentatively agreed (TA’d) Article 21 – Transportation and Moving Expenses, conditioned on further agreement regarding the maximum moving reimbursement on a Company-paid move.
The next bargaining session is scheduled for August 5-7, 2025, in Chicago. Thank you to everybody who has reached out to your ALR, Jason Salazar, to offer your strong support for this Committee and receive clarification on certain bargaining issues. Jason will be sending out further updates soon. No question is too small if you need information – your ALR and this Committee are here for you.
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
