Negotiations between SWAPA and Southwest were canceled this week after Southwest Airlines provided a seemingly insulting proposal.
Per SWAPA, the union representing Southwest pilots, the latest company proposal walked back previous progress made in negotiations. The company appeared reluctant to discuss any advancements in quality of life, changes that are essential to securing a deal. Per SWAPA, in many ways, the proposal was a step back from Southwest's current contract. SWAPA reiterated their desire to strike.
In the latest email to pilots, SWAPA highlighted a need for a better contract to stop the “max exodus” of pilots that Southwest is allegedly experiencing. Southwest's largest rivals, are on pace to all sign comparatively blockbuster agreements by the end of 2023. Delta pilots have already agreed to a new contract that offers pilots earnings and quality of life that is currently unmatched by any other US carrier. United and American are expected to meet or exceed the bar set by Delta. United has already announced an AIP that appears on par with Delta. Southwest pilots, when compared to their peers, are far behind.
SWAPA has appealed to the NMB to be released to strike. If approved, all Southwest pilots, including new hires, would likely walk out. It would be the first major airline strike in a decade. The threat of a strike is concerning, particularly for pilots considering offers from Southwest. Pilots on probation (including new hires) would not necessarily have the same union protections as more senior pilots. In the event of a strike, striking new hire pilots could face the threat of termination should they refuse to cross the picket line. Historically though, unions have successfully reinstated employment for striking new-hire pilots immediately after strikes. Regardless, the increasing likelihood of a strike, compared to the seemingly nonexistent threat at Southwest peers, leaves pilots considering Southwest in a complicated position.
