141 Report - Spirit Airlines TA and committee Conference

On the 141 Report this week, Brother Dave Lehive speaks to Spirit Airlines Local 368 IAM member Chris Willis. Brother Willis served on the union negotiating team that recently produced a historic Tentative Agreement for membership at the airline.

The Agreement will create the highest wages and overall compensation rates for ramp agents in the airline's history. Our members will receive wage increases that are, on average, 30% higher than they are now. Lead premium increases, more opportunities for double-time pay, and new trainer positions will allow Machinists Union members to earn even more from their current work.

If ratified, this deal will also bring paid vacations to part-time agents. For some, this will be the first real vacation they have ever known.

"I would like to thank the National Mediation Board for listening and resolving some of the issues we were having with the company," Chris said. "The NMB came in and was very fair about the whole process but it was a very tense time." Brother Chris also thanked 141 President Directing General Chair Mike Klemm and 141 AGC Tony Gibson, Andrea Myers, and Grand lodge representative Tom Regan for help achieving this vital Agreement. The current membership at Spirit is based in Fort Lauderdale and includes 282 members. That number is expected to increase to over 410 by the end of the year. Brother Chris also talked highly of his negotiations partners Almarie Jean, Linda Germain, and Gregory De La Cruz saying that they were "absolutely a fantastic team." He finished by saying, "it was well worth it."

The members in Fort Lauderdale will be voting on November 4th on the TA, which the entire Negotiations team has endorsed and urged the members to ratify.

Brother Willis and Dave were among the hundreds of Machinists and Aerospace union members attending the annual District 141 Committee Conference, which took place this week in Las Vegas.

Chris said of the Conference, "it was like a family reunion, and it sharpened our tools." "I'm happy for the knowledge I'm getting here, because Covid has brought us a different swing to what we do... but we are at a very happy time now."