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Updated 06/14/2010 01:11 PM

Pilot Strike Grounds Spirit Airlines Through Wednesday

By: NY1 News

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Spirit Airlines says it is canceling all of its flights through Wednesday due to the ongoing pilots strike.

About 440 pilots have hit the picket lines since the strike began on Saturday. The strike has grounded flights at airports across the country, including LaGuardia.

Spirit says it will give future flight credits to customers in the full amount of their canceled flight, as well as an extra $100 future flight credit. The airline has also been trying to get passengers onto flights on other carriers.

The union says its members have been working in substandard conditions and at below-market rates for years.

According to a union leader, "pilots will not return to the cockpit until a fair and equitable contract is negotiated."

"We've always wanted a fair contract, a fair agreement that's going to put us on parity with other airlines, similar size, similar structure that are profitable also. And that's what the pilots of this airline have always wanted and that's what were striking for," said Spirit Airlines First Officer Bill Coogan.

The company says its offer includes a raise of 29 percent over five years, a $3,000 signing bonus and a larger retirement plan match.

Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza said no new talks are scheduled with the pilots.