American Airlines, Southwest pilots move closer to striking
DALLAS - Pilots for both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are getting ready to strike.
They aren’t walking off the job just yet, but they hope their latest move will lead to new contracts.
American Airlines pilots picketed outside Terminal C at DFW Airport and other airports across the country on Monday to explain their demands before a possible strike.
"The line you see behind me is a visual expression you see from our pilots how long its taken to get to the point that we're at now," said Chris Torres, the vice president of the Allied Pilots Association.
The union, which represents 15,000 American Airlines pilots, held a strike authorization vote which closed on Sunday. An overwhelming 99% voted in favor.
An American Airlines plane is pictured in a file image taken March 19, 2020. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
With the vote the APA is putting the pressure on American Airlines management to reach a new contract agreement soon.
The union has been in negotiations with the company for a new contract since 2019.
"This is a step in a process. The direct negotiations, which is what we're doing, that is where were at. Now, if for some reason that stalls out that would mean we go to mediation," said Torres.
Federal mediators would step in. If that fails, and either party chooses not to go to arbitration, the National Mediation Board could release the union from negotiations. After a 30-day cooling-off period the pilots could be allowed to walk off the job.
The process includes very deliberate steps for a profession that is considered critical to the economy.
"Obivously, if we get a contract there is no need to strike," said Torres.
Chris Manno was a member of the APA in 1997, when pilots went through with a strike after all other steps in the process failed.
"Within a half hour, then-President Bill Clinton ordered us back to work, effectively taking away the labor unions ability to strike. So we had to go back into mediation and finally work out an agreement after even more time," said Manno.
The union says pilot scheduling and pay continue to be sticking points.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has said pilot pay would be boosted by $8,000,000 over four years under a contract proposed by the Fort Worth carrier.
"He's doing it to the public to say, 'Look at what I'm offering'. But he has yet to open the checkbook and sit down at the table and say, 'Here's your new pay rates,'" said Manno.
Passenger Angela Muller who spoke to FOX 4 hopes the two sides can reach an agreement soon.
"I think this is a clear display that they people have some things to say and be listened to," said Muller. "They're a vital part of how we all travel and the safety of what happens in the skies."
Negotiations will continue while the process continues to play out.
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Pilots for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines are considering a similar plan.
The 10,000 members of the Southwest Pilots Association will begin voting Monday on whether they want to authorize a strike.
If they approve it, federal regulars will intervene to prevent the pilots from walking off the job.
Southwest Pilots have been in contract negotiations for three years.