Southwest Airlines has sent its first furlough notices to a small number of workers, which could potentially be the first ever layoffs in the airlines’ 50-year history.
Talks with a union group have stalled over Southwest’s proposal to seek pay cuts to ensure no jobs are lost.
It impacts a few dozen parts inventory workers.
The airline argues it needs pay cuts from all workers to avoid job losses.
The unionized workers will leave in January if the International Brotherhood of Teamsters cannot agree a pay cut or if there is no further payroll support from the government.
The $25 billion federal payroll support package for airlines expired in October, and lawmakers failed to agree an extension before the election.
Southwest said it is continuing talks with other unions and is open to further negotiations with the Teamsters.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
