Southwest Airlines pilots’ union sues airline for breach of contract

A trade union representing the interests of some of Southwest Airlines pilots is pressing ahead with a lawsuit against the United States low-cost carrier. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) is arguing that the airline did not negotiate with the pilots union before senior executives at the airline company went ahead and modified pay and working conditions at the company during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SWAPA claims that the airline’s decision to implement an emergency leave of absence and alter the pilot pay structure was in breach of the current pilot union contract and ultimately believes the airline violated their contracts. The pilots union also states in its filed lawsuit that Southwest Airlines did not have the ability to alter the contract without bargaining with them.

The union also stated that Southwest Airlines have been putting pilots into unpaid leaves of absence via quarantine, at the beginning of December last year and is continuing to do so this summer. Southwest’s vice president of labour relations, Russell McCrady stated that the company disagrees with SWAPA’s claims and argued that the COVID-related changes adopted in recent months did not require trade union negotiations.

In a statement, Russell MCCrady said, “Southwest remains committed to Pilots’ health and welfare and to working with SWAPA, and our other union partners, as we continue navigating the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic.”

Source: https://aeronewsx.com/southwest-airlines-pilots-union-sues-airline-for-breach-of-contract/