The Southwest has warned 6,800 workers that they could lose their jobs


The total has 2,551 ground crew members handling baggage, cargo and restocking planes, as well as 1,176 customer service agents, 1,500 flight attendants and 1,221 pilots. The reduction will be made on March 15 or April 1 for different groups of employees, the airline said.

US Airlines, incl Southwest, (L.U.V.) A total of $ 25 billion in federal aid has been received earlier this year, provided they do not cut any involuntary jobs by the end of September. United (UAL) And American Airlines (AL) On October 1, the day the ban between them ended, 32,000 employees rallied among them.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) The reduction in involuntary employment has been avoided because employees took voluntary buyouts and early retirement offers, and its pilots agreed to make changes to their contracts that would reduce labor costs. But about 16,000 other job cuts have been set up or planned in the rest of the aviation industry before Thursday’s announcement from the Southwest.
The Southwest is one of the most profitable companies in the U.S. But it posted a loss of $ 2.75 billion in the first nine months of the year, keeping it on track for its first annual loss.
On Thanksgiving, mid-March was the busiest week for US airlines, When the epidemic brought air travel to a nearby location. But United, Southwest and American have all warned investors that they are seeing a new decline in bookings as the Covid-19 case has risen across the country, and public health experts are urging people not to travel during the holidays if possible.
The Southwest has asked 12 unions, representing 83% of unionized workers, for a 10% pay cut to avoid furloughs. The airline told CNN it had signed agreements with its meteorologists and dispatcher unions.

An internal memo to employees noted that the airline is open to paying contracts with other union groups that will avoid 6,800 revolving furloughs in 2021.

Sunday was the busiest day for U.S. air travel since the epidemic began

“We are not closing the door – we will continue negotiations if the union representatives want to continue working towards reaching a mutually agreed settlement,” the memo said.

Major unions in the Southwest quickly objected to the company’s planned furlough and said they would continue to fight to save jobs.

“While this development is not entirely surprising but it is incredibly disappointing for our pilots and their families,” said Capt. John Wax, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association. The union “is committed to finding solutions that will prevent the company from taking any further steps towards furloughs.”

He said a number of offers were made by the pilots’ union which meet the company’s savings target, but the company has not made any counter offers.

LUV has always been the stock symbol of the Southwest for Lovefield Airport, the company’s home base in South Las Vegas. The Transport Labor Union, which represents Southwest Flight Attendants among other employees, said the notices issued to employees on Thursday were “L.U.V.” No died. “

Southwest Airlines has about 15 15 billion in cash and is predicted to be the first airline to make money for its shareholders, said Dan Na Akins, an airline economist and adviser to TWU. The union said it has proposed additional cost savings, and thousands of Southwest flight attendants would be willing to take extra unpaid leave to save jobs.

“The opportunity to help our members save their jobs is what we want from TWU members,” said Lynn Montgomery, president of the TWU Unit. Frontline workers have been in the air during the epidemic, helping to ensure the safety of transport infrastructure important to the country and business, and the company is expanding to additional locations so their skills are needed. “

The Aircraft Mechanics Brothers Association said it was filing for arbitration to stop Furlow, which it said had a right under the contract because it was outsourcing some mechanical work to Southwest Airlines.

Some airline unions continue to lobby Congress for a stimulus bill that includes pay funding for their employees. But despite bipartisan support, no additional support has yet been forthcoming for the industry approved by Congress.

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