A Potential Pilot Strike Could Impact Your Next Flight

The past few months have been a tumultuous time for Southwest Airlines.

After a chaotic holiday season where flights were canceled for multiple days due to a system issue, the airline had to deal with backlash from consumers. Since then, they’ve been doing damage control — issuing refunds and apologies. But now, they might have another upcoming problem.

CNBC reports that the Southwest pilot’s union plans to hold a vote that could give it the power to call a potential strike. However, even if the vote gives the union power to call a strike, it wouldn’t be immediate and would require clearance from the federal National Mediation Board.

Southwest and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association have been trying to negotiate a new contract for years. Union leaders have been pushing for better work rules and schedules for Southwest workers. During last month’s system breakdown, many pilots and flight attendants were stranded in airports around the country.

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“This decision is not one based on emotion, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t angry,” Union President Casey Murray wrote to pilots. Murray said the union is also negotiating “gratitude pay to compensate our Pilots who suffered through the meltdown.” The strike vote will begin May 1st, which gives Southwest customers time to prepare by booking elsewhere.

“The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association’s call for an authorization vote does not affect Southwest’s operation or our ability to take care of our Customers,” said Adam Carlisle, vice president of labor relations at Southwest. “We will continue to follow the process outlined in the Railway Labor Act and work under the assistance of the National Mediation Board toward reaching an agreement that rewards our Pilots and places them competitively in the industry.”

Last year, a similar situation happened with Delta Air Lines, where they voted in October in favor of allowing the union to authorize a strike. However, about a month later, the union and company reached a preliminary deal for a new contract.

We’re interested to see what happens next with this situation, and we’ll keep you updated on how it could affect your vacation. If you have upcoming flights planned with Southwest, you might want to keep an ear to the ground and search out alternate transportation, just in case.