The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) opened a regional strike center in Columbia, Maryland. This is the first SWAPA strike center outside of Dallas. The union has been in contract talks with the airline for more than three years.
Pilots are seeking better pay, benefits, and working conditions. The union said that pilots do not want to go on strike, but they’re preparing anyway.
The strike center spaces will be used to monitor Southwest flights and pilots and act as a hub for workers. The union is renting out the spaces.
The union’s last request to be released from federal mediation was denied. Organizers said that if their demands are not met, it could cause thousands of planes to be grounded during one of the busiest travel times of the season.
The agreement could take a couple of weeks to sort out some of the outstanding issues, the person said without providing any details on the terms of the deal.
Southwest in an emailed statement to Reuters said, “Both negotiating teams are working hard to close out the few remaining items.”
The company remains committed to reaching a deal that rewards its pilots and places them competitively in the industry, it added.
North American pilots and flight attendants have been pushing for better pay and working conditions during their talks over new job contracts with the company management.
The carrier in October had reached a tentative agreement with the Transport Workers Union Local 556, representing nearly 19,000 flight attendants.
Earlier this year, major carriers American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines successfully reached agreements with their respective pilot unions.
