The latest manifestation of the ongoing poor relations between Spirit Airlines crew members and management: The flight attendants at Spirit Airlines are filing for federal mediation of their contract negotiations. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), which represents Spirit's cabin crew, will file their petition tomorrow with the National Mediation Board (NMB).The present contract between Spirit and the flight attendants became amendable in November of 2007. Although union representatives and Spirit management have met several times since then, union officials say that the carrier's management "continues to come to the table without a single proposal." The union has requested a federal mediator in order to obtain management's active participation in the negotiations process, as required by statute.
"After continued negotiations, little progress has been made and management continues to be disrespectful at the bargaining table," said Deborah Crowley, AFA-CWA Spirit President. "For the second time this year, airline management has come to the table unprepared and it is time that their stall tactics and inconsiderate behavior come to an end. We look forward to having the NMB appoint a mediator who will help move negotiations forward."
