Frontier Airlines pilots approved a new labor contract in a vote that concluded Thursday.
Of pilots voting, 67.4 percent were in favor and 32.6 percent were against, said Frontier Airline Pilots Association president Jeff Thomas.
The four-year agreement freezes pay for a year for most of Frontier’s estimated 650 pilots, Thomas said. Of the 553 pilots eligible to vote, 289 were in favor and 140 were against.
The contract includes future cost-of-living pay increases and future pay-scale reductions, making it essentially “cost-neutral,” Thomas said when the tentative agreement was reached.
The pilots union agreement adds a defined-contribution retirement plan and includes some changes in work rules and productivity improvements, Thomas said.
“It’s a win for the pilots and a win for the company, indicative of the relationship we’ve had with FAPA, which is one of cooperation and mutual intent to better the company,” said Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas.
Frontier’s pilots belong to an independent union.
The agreement also allows Frontier to use non-FAPA pilots for its Q400 turboprop operation.
But Thomas said the contract limits flying by other pilots relative to the size of its main Airbus operation, which is flown by the unionized pilots.
“The intent is that this flying should promote growth” of the mainline operation, Thomas said.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
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Key points
of the deal
Four-year agreement between Frontier Airlines and pilots
Freezes pay for a year for most of Frontier’s 650 pilots
Future cost-of-living pay increases and future pay-scale reductions
Allows nonunion pilots to fly Frontier’s Q400 turboprops
