The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) yesterday announced that Spirit Airlines Ramp Agents approved their first collective bargaining agreement by a staggering 98 percent.
The five year first agreement runs through 2020 and provides between approximately 13 and 22 percent in general wage increases, no layoff protection, no outsourcing guarantees, benefit preservation, a formal grievance procedure ending in neutral arbitration and shrinks the time to achieve top pay from 12 years to seven.
“Our entire union thanks those members that participated in the station voting process,” said IAM District 141 President Rich Delaney.”We especially thank the members of the Negotiations Team for their hard work to bring back an agreement that 98.1% of the members endorsed.”
The IAM and Spirit have agreed to remain at the bargaining table to negotiate further enhancements to the already ratified basic terms, which become effective on June 14, 2015.
Spirit Ramp Agents voted in favor of IAM representation in July, 2014. First contract negotiations took under one year and formally ended their insecure “employment at will” status.
