Frontier Airlines pilots have voted to strike if their negotiations with managers break down, the union announced on Tuesday.
In strike authorization voting, 97% of pilots participated and 99% voted in favor of a strike if necessary, according to Capt. Michael Maynard, chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association’s executive council. The pilots have been negotiating with company managers in mediated talks but have not agreed on a contract.
“Our ultimate goal remains to reach a fair agreement with the company, not to strike,” Maynard said in a statement. “However, this vote equips our master executive council with a significant lever should we need to exercise it.”
Under federal law, the pilots and their union cannot legally strike until a National Mediation Board determines mediation is no longer productive. If the board deems mediation unproductive, both sides may be given an option of arbitration. If either side declines arbitration, a 30-day “cooling-off” period would follow. After that, a strike or “management lockout” is possible.
Frontier officials said a strike is not imminent. “Frontier remains committed to negotiating in good faith to achieve an agreement that supports our pilots and ensures the continued success of our company,” spokesman Rob Harris said.
Denver-based Frontier, a major low-cost carrier, runs flights to more than 120 destinations in the United States, Mexico, and Central America and employs more than 3,000 people. Last month, Frontier’s flight attendants voted to authorize a strike if necessary as they negotiate for a better contract.
Originally Published:
Pilots at Frontier Airlines, one of the popular ultra-low-cost carriers in the United States, have recently voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike, signaling their willingness to take drastic action if necessary to secure a fair contract. This decision underscores the ongoing tension between the airline’s management and its pilots, who have been negotiating a new contract for more than two years.
Frontier Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), authorized the potential strike with a near unanimous vote of 99% from the voters participating. The vote would authorize union leaders to call a strike if federal mediators deem negotiations at an impasse and release the parties into a 30-day “cooling-off” period. It’s important to bear in mind that without these measures, a strike action is not immediately possible.
“We are 100% ready to take action,” stated Captain Tracy Smith, chairman of the Frontier Airlines ALPA Master Executive Council. Capt. Smith further noted that Frontier pilots are the lowest paid A320 pilots in North America and yet the airline is one of the most profitable.
The Frontier pilots’ strong vote for strike authorization means they are prepared to abandon their cockpits, and even risk their livelihoods, to secure industry-standard pay and working conditions. It indicates their frustration over their ongoing contract negotiations with Frontier’s management that have been at a stalemate for over two years.
Frontier Airlines responded to the strike vote in a statement, emphasizing the procedural nature of the vote and indicating that it doesn’t necessarily mean a strike will occur. The carrier explained further by saying, “even with this procedural step, strikes are rare, and the parties continue to negotiate under the auspices of the National Mediation Board (NMB). We look forward to working toward an agreement that recognizes the contributions of our pilots and provides Frontier with a competitive cost structure.”
However, the pilots appear adamant. They believe that their fight for a new contract will not only benefit them but also have a positive impact on the wider industry. This action could set a significant precedent for pilots at other ultra-low-cost carriers who could face similar contract negotiations in the future.
The potential strike action also raises broader questions about the ultra-low-cost carrier industry and the sustainability of its business model. The model, which is primarily based on offering very low fares at the expense of comfort and services, relies heavily on keeping operational costs low. This includes the salaries of the pilots who fly their planes.
All of these tensions come together to reveal a potentially complex and contentious negotiation process that could significantly impact the airline sector. The potential strike may cause travel disruption, impacting thousands of passengers. If it happens, it will be up to the management of Frontier Airlines to ensure that the airline weathers the storm, by meeting their employees’ demands or finding alternative means to keep the planes in the air.
Ultimately, the vote represents a risky but calculated decision by Frontier’s pilots to potentially jeopardize their own employment in the quest for what they see as fairer treatment in the workplace. Their overwhelming commitment to this cause is clear evidence of their determination.
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Subject: Important Notice: Revised Office Timings due to Pandemic Outbreak
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Frontier Airlines pilots vote to strike if necessary
