Bankruptcy Forced Changes to the Contract, as Proposed
Dear Spirit Flight Attendants,
As we communicated on Friday, in a bankruptcy it is far preferable to shape any contract changes in a way that will meet the required cost cuts while minimizing the effect on Flight Attendants. We entered these bankruptcy required discussions with four important goals:
Limit the overall cost cuts required by Flight Attendants
Snapbacks so that if the company recovers we do too
Avoid changes to base pay
Avoid changes to our healthcare
We have reached an agreement, if approved by the Spirit AFA membership, that accomplishes those goals and would become effective January 1, 2026.
We have the opportunity now to vote on these terms and management must continue to adhere to the contract. Your Spirit AFA MEC recommends a vote FORthis agreement to keep control of our contract in Flight Attendants’ hands. If these terms are not approved by the members and the court approves abrogation (changes, repeal, or voiding) of the contract, then management can make the changes as they determine to make them.
Proposed Changes to the Contract
By Provision
All of these items including where provisions may be “eliminated” will fully snapback if the financial health of the company recovers as defined in this LOA.
Section 3.G. Overtime Incentive Pay for credited hours exceeding 85 is reduced from 1.5 times the Flight Attendant’s hourly rate to 1.0 times the Flight Attendant’s hourly rate.
The overtime pay remains in the contract, but the pay function is reduced to 0 until a partial snapback on July 1, 2027 or a full snapback based on the financial health of the company as defined in this LOA.
Section 3.A.2.a.ii. Pairing Guarantee for multi day trips is reduced to 4:00 per duty period for the entire trip for multi-day trips.
Section 3.A.2.a.iv. Pairing Guarantee is reduced so that a Flight Attendant shall be credited for pay purposes with one additional duty period at 4:00 for each scheduled away-from-domicile layover that exceeds a continuous 24-hour period.
Section 3.M. Ground Holding Pay is eliminated.
Section 3.O. Holiday Day Pay and the 2024 TAJ Holiday Pay MOU multiplier will be paid at 150% of the greater of actual or scheduled credit time.
Section 4.D.2. Per Diem hourly rate will not exceed $2.99.
Section 8.H.5. Lead-in Conflicts is amended such that all Day Off Restoration (MDD/MDO) is unpaid. The MDD code will continue to be used to provide days off for a trip or reserve day drop but will no longer retain pay protection and the MDO code will no longer be used.
Snapbacks
On July 1, 2027, Section 3.G. Overtime Incentive Pay will be increased from 1.0 times the Flight Attendant’s hourly rate to 1.25 times the Flight Attendant’s hourly rate, and the 85 credited hour threshold for Section 3.G. Overtime Incentive Pay will be increased to 95 credited hours.
This is a partial time-defined snapback. A full snapback will occur if the financial health of the company as defined in this LOA is met.
Within 90 days of the Company reporting it has achieved a 7.50% or higher adjusted pre-tax margin each quarter for three consecutive quarters, the sections of the CBA amended pursuant to Paragraphs 1-7 of this LOA will revert to their original terms as set forth in the April 14, 2023 CBA from that date going forward.
Protections & Duration
The Company will not award any form of compensation to any management specifically as a result of the successful completion of the negotiation of this LOA amending the CBA.
Except as modified or amended above, all provisions of the CBA remain in full force and effect.
This LOA is subject to the ratification approval of the Spirit Flight Attendants. If this LOA is ratified by the Spirit Flight Attendants, the effective date of this LOA amending the CBA will be January 1, 2026.
View the full Letter of Agreement language.
We know this is extremely difficult and hard to take in. This process is moving with urgency due to the status of the bankruptcy: labor contracts must be approved by mid-December in order to avoid a filing to ask the court to force changes to our contract.
We will hold virtual review meetings and be available to answer questions throughout the vote. Voting will open on December 1 and close December 11. We will follow up tomorrow with more on the ratification schedule and process.
In solidarity,
Your Spirit AFA MEC
