![]() The airline said negotiations with the union are set to resume on January 24. Murray added that the strike vote is about making a statement that something has to be done to address what their customers are going through and what their pilots are feeling every day out on the line. This is about the soul of Southwest Airlines," Murray said. ![]() He wants all 10,000 member pilots to vote with their conscious beginning May 1. Murray said the authorization vote is a decision the union does not take lightly. It’s difficult for pilots to actually strike, as pilots are prohibited from walking out without approval from federal labor officials. We will continue to follow the process outlined in the Railway Labor Act, and work under the assistance of the National Mediation Board, toward reaching an agreement that rewards our pilots." In a statement, Southwest Airlines said, in part: "The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association’s call for an authorization vote does not affect Southwest’s operation or our ability to take care of our customers. "You'll see the rallies posted up," Santoro added. (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Southwest Airlines plane on the runway at Love Field in Dallas, TX. There was visible reaction and recoil anytime the meltdown was mentioned, and we made very little progress," Murray explained. Murray said no meaningful progress has been made on scheduling work rules and information technology upgrades. Some 17,000 flights were cancelled, leaving an estimated 2 million Southwest Airlines passengers stranded at airports across the country. He is referring to an epic systemwide meltdown over the busy Christmas holiday travel season. I wanted to see some impetus from the company coming off the meltdown," Murray added. "It's an historic day at Southwest and SWAPA and for each of you," SWAPA President Casey Murray said.ĭuring a virtual meeting with union members Wednesday, Murray said contract negotiations with the Dallas-based carrier, are going nowhere. The union president said he's making the announcement about a potential strike months in advance in order to give passengers time to prepare. Southwest Airlines has been plagued with problems over the past year. Southwest pilots have protested working conditions in the past, but this would be the first time the union has ever held a vote to authorize a strike. The pandemic forced airlines into a tough spot in March 2020, with many just returning to profitability amid surging demand.If the union votes to strike come May, it would be the first time in the airline's history. For Southwest pilots, SWAPA says, the current contract became amendable in September 2020 with an early opener option for March 1, 2020. Puchala, requesting release from mediated discussions between SWAPA and Southwest Airlines representatives. Under terms of the Railway Labor Act governing airline union negotiations, pilot contracts do not expire but become amendable on a specific date. On June 28, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) wrote to the National Mediation Board (NMB) Chairwoman, Linda A. Moreover, SWAPA says pilots have dealt with hundreds of thousands of schedule changes while being asked to fly on their days off. Holding up signs with phrases such as, “Our passengers and pilots deserve better,” and “delayed, rescheduled, canceled,” bore the frustrations of the disgruntled pilots who’ve seemingly exhausted their options for better pay and work rules.Īccording to the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association (SWAPA, the Southwest pilots’ union), its pilots have not had improvement to their contracts, even though the association proposed one to the airline nearly 900 days before the protest. Southwest Airlines pilots’ union plans to hold a vote that could give it the power to call a potential strike, a move that comes weeks after the carrier’s holiday meltdown further strained ties. #IStandWithSWAPA /T9CtWeOJKE- Kimberly Miller June 21, 2022 Proud to stand with my family - along with 1,300 other Southwest Airlines Pilots Association Union members in Dallas today - who 896 days ago proposed a new, industry-leading contract. The family that Informational Pickets together, stays together. Despite sweltering heat nearing 100 degrees, some of the pilots-who in total represent 8 percent of the Dallas-based airline’s 9,600 pilot workforce-brought their families along to protest as well. More than 1,300 off-duty but uniformed pilots of Southwest Airlines ( NYSE: LUV) lined up along the sidewalks of the Dallas Love Field Airport (KDAL) Tuesday to demand a new contract.
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