“We do not want to strike, but if we do, we want our customers to be aware of what may be coming, and to make their plans accordingly.” After three years of fruitless contract negotiations, on May 12, Spirit pilots and management entered into a 30-day cooling-off period, which ends at 12:01 a.m., June 12. At that time, either side can engage in “self-help” and the pilots may withdraw their services and lawfully strike.

The pilots marked the occasion by staging informational picketing directly outside Spirit company headquarters. Joined by pilots from AirTran, American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Pinnacle, and United, nearly 100 pilots marched to demonstrate their unity and their resolve to get a fair and equitable contract for the Spirit pilots. In spite of being profitable for the last six reported quarters and expanding the company’s routes, Spirit management continues to ask for concessions in work rules and benefits from a pilot group that is already operating under a below-industry-standard contract.

“We want a contract—not a strike,” said Capt. Sean Creed, Spirit MEC chair. “But if this management continues to put forward unreasonable proposals, there will be consequences. On June 12, without a contract that recognizes and rewards our contributions to the success of this airline—we will strike.”

“If past experience is any indication, we can’t count on Spirit management to inform our customers of the labor situation,” said Capt. Creed. “Of course, we would rather have a contract than have an interruption in service, but our customers deserve to know: without a contract, on June 12—we strike.”