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September 06, 2021

Pilot’s Union Sues Southwest Airlines, Challenges Forced Time Off

The Union Threatens To Picket Southwest During Winter Travel High Season

On August 30th, The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association filed a complaint in federal court, declaring that the carrier implemented an "emergency extended time off" program, changed schedules and modified prescription drug and retirement benefits without first consulting or bargaining with the association, in violation of federal labor law. The union represents 9,000 pilots. The “emergency extended time off” policy gave pilots the option to take time off without pay during the pandemic. The union added Southwest began leading some pilots into mandatory quarantine without pay starting December 2020 and continuing into Summer 2021.

Quarantine Pay Ends For Unvaccinated That Get The Virus

Alaska and Horizon Airlines require full vaccination by the date of hire for new employees. They will also stop quarantine pay to unvaccinated employees that contract COVID-19. “Our goal is to have as many employees vaccinated as possible,” Alaska Airline said in a statement. “We have not yet made a decision on a vaccine requirement for current employees but did implement two new policies to help us reach this goal. All new hires at Alaska and Horizon must now be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by their date of hire.”