Southwest pilots win right to display ad at Chicago Midway Airport

Friday, 16 May, 2016 0

A judge has ordered Chicago Midway Airport to allow Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association to place a billboard ad at the airport, which highlights its long running labor dispute with airline management.

Last week the pilot’s union (SWAPA) filed a legal challenge after Chicago banned the ad because it was deemed ‘offensive,’ the union said.

The pilots wanted to display the ad ahead of a Southwest shareholder meeting in the city, to raise awareness of the dispute.

US District Judge Virginia Kendall ordered the city to allow the placement of the ad.

The ad shows a uniformed pilot welcoming shareholders to the city with the message: "Shareholder returns: $3.1 billion; Pilot raises: $0."

The city has a policy banning ‘all political and public issue advertising.’

"Contrary to SWAPA’s assertions, its proposed advertisement advocating for raises for its member pilots was not rejected by the Chicago Department of Aviation because of disagreement with SWAPA’s viewpoint," the city of Chicago said in response.

Southwest pilots have been fighting for an improved contract since 2012 and say they have not been given a raise since 2011.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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