by Donald Wood
Last updated: 3:14 PM ET, Fri January 11, 2019
Almost three years after negotiations began, Frontier Airlines pilots and their union approved a new contract Thursday.
According to The Associated Press, the Air Line Pilots Association revealed 77 percent of the Frontier pilots voting on the deal approved the details. The new contract will take effect Wednesday and provide an average 53 percent pay increase.
After negotiations began in March 2016 and quickly reached a stalemate, the United States government brought in federal officials to mediate the discussions. Talks hit a rough patch in 2017, causing Frontier pilots to stage demonstrations in cities served by the low-cost carrier.
"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with our pilots and believe it gives them best-in-class salary and benefits while also ensuring Frontier's continued growth," Frontier CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement.
The pilots' union initially agreed to take a pay cut in 2011 to secure flexible work rules about hours and swapping schedules, but the salaries are on the rise. A pilot who used to make $35,000 a year will now earn $70,000 under the new contract.
"We're looking forward to a much more symbiotic relationship to help Frontier reach its growth strategy," union spokesman Captain Alan Christie said.
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