Pilots Turn Down 30% Increase over Five Years And A $3,000 Signing Bonus Per Pilot At An Increased Cost of Over $70M USD

Spirit Airlines with the help of the National Mediation Board worked tirelessly through the night until 5:00 am to reach a fair and equitable agreement with its pilot union.

Spirit offered over 30 percent pay increases totaling $70 million over five years, net of productivity improvements. At the same time, the pilots would have retained a four-day off break between each and every trip, a feature not found in any other ALPA contract.

In addition, under the offer each pilot would have received a $3,000 signing bonus. The pilots would also receive an eight percent 401-K match in years one through three with an increase to nine percent in year four, while all other Spirit employees only receive a three percent match.

"We are frustrated and disappointed that our pilots have turned down an over 30 percent increase at a cost of over $70 million over five years while disrupting thousands of our customers and jeopardizing the livelihoods of our over 2,000 employees," said Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ben Baldanza.

As a result of the pilots' decision to strike, Spirit Airlines flights are cancelled for Saturday, June 12, 2010.

For those customers whose flights are cancelled, Spirit is processing a credit for the full amount of the flight, as well as providing a $100 future flight credit.

Customers who made their reservation prior to May 11, 2010 directly with Spirit and purchased travel insurance should call Travel Guard at 866-877-3191 if their flight has been cancelled.