More than 1,300 Southwest Pilots Protest Contract in Dallas

Off-duty, uniformed pilots lined the sidewalks at Dallas-Love Field hoping for movement on a new contract.

Michael Wildes

Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 05:54 PM ET

Verified

Southwest Airlines hires 9,600 pilots. [Courtesy: Southwest Airlines]

Key Takeaways:

Over 1,300 off-duty Southwest Airlines pilots picketed at Dallas Love Field to demand a new contract, representing 8% of the airline's pilot workforce.
The pilots' union (SWAPA) has been negotiating for nearly 900 days for contract improvements, with the current contract amendable since September 2020.
Pilots are frustrated by unresolved pay and work rules, frequent schedule changes, and being asked to fly on their days off, using off-duty picketing as permitted by the Railway Labor Act.

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More than 1,300 off-duty but uniformed pilots of Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) lined up along the sidewalks of the Dallas Love Field Airport (KDAL) Tuesday to demand a new contract. Despite sweltering heat nearing 100 degrees, some of the pilots—who in total represent 8 percent of the Dallas-based airline’s 9,600 pilot workforce—brought their families along to protest as well.

The family that Informational Pickets together, stays together. Proud to stand with my family — along with 1,300 other Southwest Airlines Pilots Association Union members in Dallas today — who 896 days ago proposed a new, industry-leading contract. #IStandWithSWAPA pic.twitter.com/T9CtWeOJKE