Southwest Airlines Pilots Picket at Different Airports

After failing to reach a new contract with the airline, Southwest Airlines pilots picketed at different airports. According to the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), the pilots negotiated with the airline for three years.

Compared to other airlines, Southwest is the last major airline without an agreement. Because of this, SWAPA says that they “have lost hundreds of pilots to other carriers already this year.” Circulating social media posts put the number of pilots that left Southwest since the start of the year to more than 200.

And it isn’t just a salary issue according to SWAPA President Casey Murray. In an interview, Murray said, “I feel confident when I say that we’re the only labor union in the world that is not trying to work less and get paid more; we’re trying to provide efficiency so that we work smarter. That’s our main sticking point in negotiations—simply trying to drive some efficiencies in how we are being used.”

First-Ever Multibase Informational Picket

While the pilots can’t legally strike, it doesn’t stop them from expressing their grievances. According to SWAPA’s website, they are conducting “its first-ever multibase informational picket on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Baltimore-Washington, Los Angeles International, Hartsfield Jackson International (Atlanta), Houston Hobby, and Chicago Midway Airports.”  Their intention is to let the airline and passengers know about their situation.

Can’t Sit Idly

In a media statement, Murray said “Our pilots deserve a contract that befits the most productive pilots in the industry, and we have been attempting to get Southwest to realize that their delay in reaching an agreement is causing irreparable harm not just to our pilots, but to the airline itself.”

He added, “Southwest Airlines simply cannot afford to sit idly by while every other carrier continues to reward their pilots and lure them away with better contracts and benefits.”

Southwest then released a statement saying “We’re aware that some off-duty Pilots plan to participate in informational picketing. Southwest Airlines respects the rights of our Employees to express their opinions, and we do not anticipate any disruption in service because of the demonstration.”