Southwest’s Statement on Announcement by Pilots’ Union

The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association announced today its intention to call for a strike authorization vote on May 1, 2023.

“SWAPA’s call for an authorization vote does not affect Southwest’s operation or our ability to take care of our Customers,” said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. “We will continue to follow the process outlined in the Railway Labor Act and work, under the assistance of the National Mediation Board, toward reaching an agreement that rewards our Pilots and places them competitively in the industry. The union’s potential vote does not hinder our ongoing efforts at the negotiating table. We are scheduled to resume mediation on January 24.”

As of October 2022, Southwest and the Union are engaged in negotiations with assigned mediators from the National Mediation Board. The mediators set the dates, location, and agenda for negotiating sessions and have continued to drive the parties toward closing out certain sections before addressing the more complex items in the contract.

The proposed vote does not affect operations in any way and is not an indication of an impending work stoppage. As always, the Southwest Team is focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation, along with our legendary Southwest Hospitality, to Customers.

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