Keeping the Spirit alive

Integrated De-icing Services has announced that it has been awarded the de-icing provider contract for Spirit Airlines at Detroit’s Metro airport.

Daniel Young, Director of Sales, Marketing and Customer Relations said: “The new contract became effective on October 1, 2014. Everything came together quickly because we already de-ice Spirit’s aircraft in Minneapolis and Chicago, so we have resources readily available in this part of the country.”

Integrated De-icing Services actually began its relationship with Spirit at Chicago. The association grew with an additional award at Minneapolis St Paul. Stan Berton, Senior Manager Airport Affairs, added: “We have enjoyed a very productive relationship with IDS in recent years. The Detroit award is a natural extension of our relationship and is part of a strategic regional alignment for the three airports.”

Sal Calvino, President of IDS also commented on the latest signing.

“Both companies are leaders in their categories, youthful and growing. Our operating philosophies are very similar in terms of service and providing the best value to our customers. We are very pleased with the addition of Spirit at Detroit.”

Phili-buster: a sign of the times?

Passengers at Philadelphia International airport experienced some disruption on November 20, when strike action by a number of bag handlers from Prime Flight got underway. In all, more than 100 baggage handlers voiced their unhappiness over wage levels, which currently stand at US$9.00 an hour: they claim that they have been promised US$10.88.

Some of the affected airlines said that they had made arrangements to cover the staff who were involved in the dispute. This action isn’t isolated: in recent weeks there have been other, wage-related actions, notably at Los Angeles, JFK and La Guardia airports.

Menzies initiative aims at improving LAX

Just a couple of months after state investigators fined Menzies Aviation a total of US$77,250 for serious safety violations that culminated in the death of a worker at Los Angeles International, the handler and employee unions have formed a partnership with the aim of improving working conditions for ramp staff.

Menzies officials and the Service Employees International Union, United Service Workers West, will work together in order to draw up new health and safety standards for many workers at Los Angeles.

Amongst other things, the partnership seeks to establish joint health and safety committees that will be staffed by Menzies and union officials, health and safety advocates as well as Menzies employees. In addition, worker health and safety training programs developed with industry experts will be formulated to address the hazards faced by Los Angeles ground service teams. Moreover, new vehicle and heavy equipment inspection initiatives will be introduced and new methods whereby workers can raise health and safety concerns with senior Menzies management staff will be implemented.