Southwest Airlines pilots elect new leader who's already talking tough

[xUT]

Southwest Airlines pilots elect new leader who's already talking tough

Late Monday the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) said Captain Jon Weaks had been elected new president of a union that represents more than 8,000 pilots who fly for the low-fare behemoth. The largest number of SWAPA members, approximately 1,100, are domiciled in Chicago, where Southwest (NYSE: LUV) also has its largest hub, at Midway Airport.

 

Noted Weaks: "I am excited to lead this pilot group in 2016, as we face a different Company mentality than we have seen over the years. This upper management approach to labor has left us disillusioned and bewildered. Despite this, I can assure that what we ask of the Company is rational and justified. We want to give them ample opportunity to regain our trust."
In an interview today, Weaks said he believes that, with the right SWAPA negotiating team in place, pilots could get a new contract by the end of 2016.

B)

 

[SharoninSAT]

Southwest Airlines pilots elect new leader who's already talking tough
 
B)
 

Good for him! Congratulations to the newly elected president of SWAPA and the SWAPA membership. Good article, thanks UT. 
Continued best wishes to all of the groups still in contract negotiations or mediation including the WN mechanics (AMFA), ramp and ops (TWU),
and flight attendants (TWU).

 

[swamt]

Good for him! Congratulations to the newly elected president of SWAPA and the SWAPA membership. Good article, thanks UT. 
Continued best wishes to all of the groups still in contract negotiations or mediation including the WN mechanics (AMFA), ramp and ops (TWU),
and flight attendants (TWU).

Amen Sharon, Amen...

 

[SharoninSAT]

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Labor tensions heat up
 

 
The gulf between Southwest management and employee groups largely breaks down along two lines:
financial matters like pay and benefits and work rules that shape how employees do their jobs.
Other sticking points include back pay for Southwest employees who have gone years without a raise
while waiting for a new contract.

 
 
Each labor group has its own set of concerns that collectively affect quality of life and job security for employees.
For pilots, they center around a desire by Southwest to explore code-sharing on international flights, a “sacred cow,” according to Weaks.
Flight attendants are concerned about increasing ground time between flights and a proposal that would require members to fly a minimum number of hours.
Mechanics worry about a shift toward outsourcing work to third-party maintenance companies.

 
“The company is taking swipes at our contract, trying to arbitrate and reinterpret longstanding language. They’re looking for opportunities
that translate into lost income for our members,” said Louie Key, president of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.
“We have to be sure we have clear, precise contract language that protects the work we’re doing.”