The Transport Workers Union of America is the recognized bargaining agent for the Spirit Airlines Guest Service Agents based at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). We are writing you to openly express our frustration over – what seems like – continual operational meltdowns at Spirit.
While management searches for every possible excuse as to why this current meltdown is occurring, our workers at FLL continue to be verbally abused and physically threatened by passengers. All the while they are also being subjected to ongoing mandatory overtime, no breaks, and no meal periods. Our Guest Service Agents understand your frustration, but it is through NO FAULT of their own.
TWU is imploring passengers to take their ire out on the airline’s executives, since they are directly responsible for these travel disruptions! Our Agents who are doing everything they can, with their hands tied behind their backs, to take care of every passenger. Executives who hide in the office and create catchy sound bites for the media are doing little to fix their passengers’ experience. These same executives have shown little concern for the safety and mental well-being of their frontline Agents at FLL, who have been attacked and even spat on – just for doing their job.
We are asking all passengers who have been impacted by the airlines meltdown to please consider our workers’ health and safety. Please treat them with same level of dignity and respect, they are trying to offer you. We understand that arriving to the airport, only to find out your flight has been cancelled, delayed, or disrupted is nothing short of infuriating, but understand that our Agents have zero control over the operation and are there to do everything they can to help you. What we are asking you to do instead, contact Spirit Airlines via their corporate channels of communication, their social media platforms, and the federal Department of Transportation. It does no good to attack, berate, or belittle an Agent who is also a victim of the circumstance they have been put in by the management and leadership of Spirit.
As the Union for the Guest Service Representatives at FLL, we want to make it crystal clear – these Agents are being subjected to circumstances far beyond their level of control or responsibility – do not take your frustrations out on them because they are victims of the airlines bad decision making, too.
#EnoughIsEnough