Southwest Pilots’ Union Prepares for Possible Strike

Southwest Airlines pilots’ union has expressed its desire to be released from federal mediation in order to pursue a new labor contract. This move sets the stage for a potential strike, as negotiations with the airline have not yet resulted in an agreement.

The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association and the airline have engaged in contract talks for over three years, with tensions running high. Last month, the carrier’s pilots voted to authorize the union to call a possible strike, following a holiday meltdown at the end of the previous year.

In a letter to the National Mediation Board, Jody R. Reven, the negotiating committee’s chairman, conveyed that SWAPA and Southwest have been unable to effectively resolve several important outstanding issues. Reven stated that further mediation is unlikely to yield any additional agreements between the two parties, according to CNBC.

The union alleges that Southwest has refused to engage in substantial discussions or offer proposals that can be ratified. The issues in contention include better pay, work rules, quality-of-life improvements, and fatigue mitigation.

Southwest has not yet provided a comment on the matter.

Although the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association’s request does not indicate an imminent pilot strike due to the procedures outlined in U.S. labor law, such strikes are extremely rare in the United States. The most recent major passenger airline strike in the country occurred at Spirit Airlines in 2010.

In the event of an impasse between Southwest and its pilots’ union, there are several cooling off periods mandated by the National Mediation Board. These periods last for 30 days each, providing time for a potential agreement to be reached.