Some Full Disclosure on This ActionL I want to put out there that this is a totally independent online activism of mine/UnionReview. In other words, none of this has anything to do with SEIU or any other union I have worked for professionally or as a volunteer. In addition, ALPA didn't ask me to do this on their behalf or offered me any money to do this, it was totally my idea and shouldn't be misconstrued as anything other than that. 

Some 450 Spirit Airline pilots, seeking wage parity with workers at other low-cost airlines such as Jet Blue and AirTran Airways, went on strike this weekend. It is the first strike at a major US airline since the walkout by Northwest Airline mechanics five years ago.

While many watching labor activities probably heard this news, what folks might not realize is the enormous show of solidarity from other union members around the country.

 

(ALPA is the union representing the Spirit pilots).

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), for example, issued a press release confirming their “support for the carrier’s pilots’ fight for a fair contract.” The AFA pledged their support to the pilots for a successful conclusion to the current negotiations. And they are not alone.

ALPA reports that as “Spirit crews continued to trickle back into DTW after being stranded from dozens of canceled trips, Detroit proved its reputation as the cradle of the American labor movement when a group of United Auto Workers unexpectedly arrived to show their solidarity and deliver cases of drinking water for the ALPA strikers. Members of the Teamsters and UniteHere! Local 355 (the union representing airport in-flight, concession, and retail workers) showed equal support in Ft. Lauderdale, where ALPA pilots from AirTran, Alaska, Delta, Spirit, and United continued circling both the airport entrance en masse and the Spirit gate four pilots at a time due to airport restrictions.”

No one wants to strike, but the union said the strike was the final weapon in their arsenal for gaining a fair contract, “one that could cripple the company.”

 

SCABS & Online Support

So far, there are two known scabs that crossed the line and lifted off – this is not fully confirmed so I am holding off mentioning names (but you can find this information with a Google search if you are interested).

With news coming in through that scabs are squeezing in, I’d like to ask everyone reading this on UnionReview.com to go back to the Facebook post, and show your solidarity. Give your name, your union – or anything else you want. I will make sure ALPA sees your message.