Southwest warns it may cut nearly 7,000 jobs
Failing to convince unions to accept pay cuts, Southwest Airlines is warning of major layoffs in 2021.
It would mark a ‘sad milestone’ in the airline’s history as the first time it has been forced to lay workers off.
It sent WARN notices to nearly 7,000 employees, including more than 1,500 flight attendants and 1,200 pilots.
Another 1,176 customer service agents also received the notice.
The layoffs will take place in mid-March or early April unless it agrees a pay cut compromise deal with unions.
"Our absolute goal is to preserve every job at Southwest Airlines; however, due to a lack of meaningful progress in negotiations, we had to proceed with issuing notifications to additional employees," said Russell McCrady, Vice President of Labor Relations.
"We are willing to continue negotiations quickly to preserve jobs."
Several unions have criticized the airline for being inflexible over pay cut negotiations.
"Sending WARN Act notices either as a scare tactic or as an actual intent to furlough when other options available were not explored is about as sad as it gets," said Lyn Montgomery, President of Southwest’s flight attendants’ union.
Southwest is asking for average pay cuts of about 10% to guarantee no furloughs through next year.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
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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