Summary
- Southwest Airlines pilots protested outside the carrier’s headquarters on Thursday.
- The airline is the one major airline that has not reached a take care of its pilots, while American and Delta have already reached agreements.
- United Airlines flight attendants picketed at airports across the country, expressing frustration over lengthy contract negotiations.
As the vacation season approaches, several collective bargaining agreements amongst US airlines remain within the air because of delayed contract negotiations. On the pilot front, Southwest Airlines is the one major carrier that has yet to achieve a take care of its pilots, while Air Transport International (ATI) pilots announced a strike authorization on Friday.
United Airlines flight attendants picketed at airports across the country on Thursday, demanding an industry-leading agreement. Similarly, flight attendants at American Airlines will hold an informational picket in the approaching weeks and will strike before holiday travel ramps up.
A change in culture
In line with KERA News, Southwest Airlines pilots were lined up outside the carrier’s headquarters in Dallas early Thursday morning to bring awareness to the continuing negotiations. Amidst mild rain, the pilots, who’re represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), held signs that read and
Photo: Southwest Airlines Pilot Association
As contract talks proceed, some pilots have claimed that Southwest’s culture will not be what it was. SWAPA President Casey Murray spoke about how things have modified through the years, in line with KERA News.
“For a very long time, and under [former CEO] Herb Kelleher, his direction, it was really something to be pleased with. That is form of been lost during the last three, 4 or five years.”
The SWAPA represents greater than 10,000 pilots. Southwest reportedly said the National Mediation Board can be consulted for assistance because the negotiations proceed to The low-cost carrier is the one major airline that has not reached a take care of its pilots. American and Delta Air Lines reached agreements with their pilots earlier this yr.
“Making lower than they did last yr”
ATI pilots announced a strike authorization vote as contract negotiations are nearing three and a half years. The vote shall be opened on Monday, in line with The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents ATI’s pilots. Under their current contract, Captain Mike Sterling, the Chair of the ATI Master Executive Council, said the pilots are earning lower than last yr.
“Our pilots cannot proceed to operate under an outdated contract, making lower than they did last yr in increasingly worsening conditions.”
Photo: Air Transport International
A strike authorization vote would permit the ALPA to call a strike once it’s legally allowed by the National Mediation Board, in line with ALPA.
The flight attendant front
Lots of of United Airlines flight attendants picketed at airports nationwide on Thursday. The employees expressed their frustrations after contract negotiations have lasted longer than two years. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), representing the flight attendants, said its members
Photo: Association of Flight Attendants
Chris Bruton, AFA local council President in Denver, has been a flight attendant at United for greater than three a long time. Bruton said the environment is “unrecognizable” and that the present pay doesn’t sustain with inflation, in line with Denver7, the local ABC affiliate.
Easy Flying previously reported that a dead end in contract negotiations with American’s flight attendants could end in the employees happening strike before the vacations. The Association of Skilled Flight Attendants shared that informational pickets shall be held on November sixteenth, in the future before the airline’s board of directors meets.