Some 440 pilots at US carrier Spirit Airlines have gone on strike after failing to reach an agreement with management over pay and benefits.
The strike, which started on Saturday and is due to end tomorrow (June 16), was called by the Air Line Pilots Association.
John Prater, president of Air Line Pilots Association, said: "Spirit pilots are willing to withdraw their services to get the contract they deserve.
"As pilots, our livelihood is in the air-not on the picket line-but the inability of Spirit management to negotiate a contract that adequately compensates our professional members has created this dispute.
"I urge Spirit management to reconsider their position on the value of their experienced and professional airline pilots."
According to the ALPA, the strike comes after nearly four years of contract negotiations.
Captain Sean Creed, head of the Spirit unit of ALPA, said: "No one wanted this strike-certainly not this pilot group. We have sacrificed so much to see this company prosper. Now we are sacrificing our paychecks until we get a contract that reflects our contributions to this airline.
"This contract is not just for the pilots who currently fly for Spirit, right now. We have a responsibility to maintain our profession and pass down a legacy of a job worth having."
Ben Baldanze, Spirit Airlines' CEO. said: "We are frustrated and disappointed that our pilots have turned down an over 30 percent increase at a cost of over $70 million over five years while disrupting thousands of our customers and jeopardizing the livelihoods of our over 2,000 employees,"
The airline had also offered a $3,000 signing bonus for each pilot.
"The pilots would also receive an eight percent 401-K match in years one through three with an increase to nine percent in year four, while all other Spirit employees only receive a three percent match," said Spirit Airlines.
The airline is offering customers whose flights are cancelled a credit for the full amount of the flight, as well as a $100 future flight credit.
www.alpa.org www.spiritair.com