Frontier Airlines pilots vote to authorize strike if contract talks fail

Pilots for Frontier Airlines voted overwhelmingly to strike this week, giving the union the power to issue a work stoppage if negotiations on a new deal with the airline break down.

The Airline Pilots Association announced Tuesday that, with 97% of the membership participating, the union voted 99% to authorize a strike.

“The results of this vote are clear and compelling,” Capt. Michael Maynard, chairman of Frontier ALPA Master Executive Council, said in a statement. “Nearly all our pilots are prepared to take action if it comes to that. This strong show of unity underscores our commitment to achieving a fair contract that meets the needs of our pilots.”

The vote does not necessarily mean a strike is inevitable but the union could order a strike after a significant breakdown in talks on a new contract.

Frontier’s contract with pilots expired in January, and the pilots have been working on those terms, but without a formal deal, since then. The two parties have been in contract negotiations ever since.

Under the Railway Labor Act, which also covers air travel, the Federal Mediation Board must determine whether further negotiations would be unproductive. After that, Frontier and ALPA would be offered additional time to arbitrate.

If a deal is still not reached, the union may call a strike after 30 days.

According to the ALPA, which represents over 2,000 pilots at the airline, Frontier has not offered a “market-based” contract that aligns with industry standards.

This week’s vote comes after other airline pilots’ unions have secured significant pay and benefit raises. Major airlines like American, United and Delta have all agreed to pay raises between 30% and 40% over the past year.

“Our ultimate goal remains to reach a fair agreement with the company, not to strike,” Capt. Maynard said. “However, this vote equips our master executive council with a significant lever should we need to exercise it.”

Frontier said in a statement that it “remains committed to negotiating in good faith to achieve an agreement that supports our pilots and ensures the continued success of our company.”