Spirit pilots vote to authorise strike if mediation fails

After contract negotiations broke down Sept 9, pilots for Spirit Airlines voted unanimously Sept 13 to authorise a strike if further mediation efforts are unproductive. According to the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents Spirit pilots, if and when the National Mediation board (NMB) decides that additional talks are ineffectual, the NMB can extend an offer to arbitrate the dispute. If either side declines arbitration, the parties enter a 30-day cooling off period, after which both sides could exercise self-help, whether it is a strike by the pilots or a lockout by the company. Spirit pilots would legally be able to strike once that 30-day cooling-off period expires, ALPA said. At this time, no additional mediation sessions are scheduled, ALPA said. <br/>