FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Neal Hanks
May 12, 2015
Director of Communications 214.722.4209, [email protected]
Southwest Pilots Union Begins Strike Preparedness

DALLAS – The Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) today announced staffing and funding for a Strike Preparedness Committee. The committee will work closely with professional outside consultants, staff, other committees and resources of the union to prepare the pilots of Southwest and the flying public for all contingencies available under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) if SWAPA and Southwest Airlines cannot come to an agreement on a new contract in the coming months. The pilots and company have been engaged in federally-mediated talks through the National Mediation Board (NMB) since November in hopes of closing out remaining open items including pay, retirement, scheduling, and job scope.

“While a strike is certainly not in either side’s best interest, the Railway Labor Act clearly defines the procedure for protracted negotiations which can lead to a lock out by management or a suspension of service by our pilots. SWAPA is doing our due diligence to prepare our pilots and passengers for the next steps in this federal mediation process should we not be able to reach a deal” said SWAPA President Capt. Paul Jackson. “We have been in negotiations for more than three years and are seeking a market rate contract for pilots that is in line, economically, with our peers at other major airlines.”

SWAPA’s Strike Preparedness Committee is structured to and tasked with educating SWAPA members and the general public on future steps of the negotiating process, formulating contingency plans for potential job action situations, and maintaining relationships with other airline groups who have self-help experience. They will work in conjunction with the Outreach Committee, which will host events nationwide to talk to pilots and their families about the status of negotiations and the preparations needed should negotiations not come to a conclusion and SWAPA is released by the NMB to proceed to self-help.

“Despite astronomical profits and record-setting forecasts for the coming years, Southwest Airlines management has not come forward with an economic offer that can bring both sides to an agreement,” continued Jackson. “Our offer is very affordable and would not impact the company’s competitive low-cost advantage. It is time for a deal.”
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Located in Dallas, Texas, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) is a non-profit employee organization representing the more than 8,000 pilots of Southwest Airlines. SWAPA works to provide a secure and rewarding career for Southwest pilots and their families through negotiating contracts, defending contractual rights and actively promoting professionalism and safety. For more information on the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association, visit SWAPA.

About time.

It is but it means nothing with a pilot group full of "yes men". Keep carrying those write-ups boys.

The pen on your side of the cockpit works too.

Sure does!

[QUOTE=WHACKMASTER;1879127]It is but it means nothing with a pilot group full of "yes men". Keep carrying those write-ups boys.[/QUOTE

WM,

I started to post something in reference to you........but you are not worth it!

Five years ago the "yes men" comment might have been accurate. Make NO mistake the Koolaid drinkers don't exist anymore. That is unless they have put themselves into a position where they can't absorb a pay cut (strike). I am not one of those.

The Oscar

[QUOTE=OscartheGrouch;1879226]
The Kool Aid drinkers might not be nearly as prevalent as before at SWA, but believe me when I tell you that after having been a part of numerous pilot groups and having been on strike before, there are PLENTY of "yes men" at SW. This group is nowhere close to being in the mindset to leverage the company into anything.

Ideally this whole contract "thing" gets solved through negotiations but I think at this point it's fair to say that the company's crossed it's arms and said no to a fair and reasonable improvement. The question is what are we going to do about it?

[QUOTE=OscartheGrouch;1879226]Today I witnessed "yes men" in action. Pilots sidestepping runways to save gas and time...planes taxiing faster than a Harley....if I was Southwest management I wouldn't be too worried....

[QUOTE=Sparta;1879263]So Einstein,

Definition of sidestepping please. Saving gas and time is only an issue if safety is compromised. So which was it?

The Oscar

[QUOTE=OscartheGrouch;1879271]Sidestepping is a maneuver whereby a motivated pilot agrees or volunteers to take a last second runway switch from an ILS approach to a visual approach to a runway that will result in a shorter taxi to the gate thereby saving the employing company both time and money....