Pilots’ vote may have no rapid impact on the service’s operations and isn’t more likely to result in a walkout within the close to future

The Southwest Airways Pilots Affiliation (SWAPA), the labor union that represents the pilots of the Dallas-based air service, introduced that its members have overwhelmingly voted for approving a union strike mandate yesterday.

Union members’ vote, authorizing a possible labor motion, got here simply because the hectic summer time season is about to kick in.

With 98% participation and 99% of members authorizing the strike, SWAPA signaled a strike might probably occur at any time.

In keeping with Southwest Airways representatives, pilots’ vote to authorize the labor motion may have no rapid impact on the service’s operations and isn’t more likely to result in a walkout within the close to future.

SWAPA President, Casey Murray, mentioned the affiliation will request the permission to strike from the mediators, however will act in strict accordance with the regulation.

Union president mentioned: “The shortage of management and the unwillingness to deal with the failures of our group have led us so far.

“Our pilots are uninterested in apologizing to our passengers on behalf of an organization that refuses to position its priorities on its inner and exterior prospects.’

“We wish our passengers to grasp that we don’t take this path frivolously and are disheartened that the LUV airline has gotten so distant from the values set forth by Herb Kelleher.

“We wish our prospects to be ready for the trail forward and make preparations on different carriers in order that their plans by the summer time and fall should not disrupted.”

Beneath the USA’ legal guidelines, air service staff should not allowed to legally strike, until the motion is permitted by the federal mediators after deciding that any additional bargaining is futile.

However even after the federal mediator’s approval, the strike can nonetheless be blocked by the President and US Congress.

The negotiations over the brand new contract between the Southwest Airways and the Southwest Airways Pilots Affiliation have been ongoing for over three years now.

Within the meantime, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) says they count on 2023 summer time air journey volumes to surpass pre-pandemic ranges, and business consultants say that lots of the points that led to final yr’s meltdown haven’t been resolved.