(Thumbnail Image: The Washington Post)
“They’ve had three-and-a-half years to discuss this with us and they didn’t bargain in as good a faith as what we thought they should have.” ...“We have sacrificed and now that the company is profitable it’s time that we recoup what we’ve given them.” (The Sun Sentinel)
The pilots of Spirit Airlines are saying "enough is enough" and are now striking.
We’re monitoring reaction to the story with The Sun Sentinal, WPTV, WNYW, WFLD, ABC and Bloomberg.
WPTV and WNYW bring the perspective from the pilots who say the pay isn’t enough.
“Our level of pay, even for guys who work extra or overtime, it’s just not achievable to have a decent suitable living.”
“We are told 98 percent of the pilots for Spirit Airlines support the strike.”
“The scene at several airports around the country was similar, Spirit Airline pilots picketing. …The message is straight-up. The Air Line Pilots Association claims these employees have worked-up low-market rates for years under substandard work rules.”
But as Chicago's WFLD and ABC report, pilots are not the only ones disgruntled. Thousands of travelers are left stranded at airports.
“And because Spirit does not have reciprocal agreements with other carriers, even when passengers can find a seat on another airline they have to pay for it out of pocket.”
“They’re making no provisions except for putting it back on your card. They’re not helping you find flights. They’re not helping you do anything. So I hope they go ‘belly-up.’”
Finaly, Bloomberg Businessweek reports the pilots turned down a recent offer that Spirit felt was more than fair.
“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…”
What do you think? Should the pilots have accepted the last offer? Or are they asking for too much?
WRITER: Jessica Duong
PRODUCER: Newsy Staff
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