Southwest Airlines’ Widespread Cancellations Disrupt Weekend Travel

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Southwest Airlines’ Widespread Cancellations Disrupt Weekend Travel

“We can say with self confidence that our pilots are not taking part in any formal or unofficial task actions,” the union, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Affiliation, claimed in a statement.

Updated 

Oct. 8, 2021, 5:39 p.m. ET

The union mentioned that its customers “will continue on to overcome” management’s “poor planning” and other exterior issues, adding that Southwest pilots “always maintain the best level of responsibility to their crews, their travellers, and our airline.”

Southwest mentioned past week that it would be part of quite a few of its competitors in necessitating all employees to get vaccinated, placing a Dec. 8 deadline to do so. The mandate is important to keep on doing organization with the authorities following President Biden purchased all massive federal contractors to need vaccination, Southwest reported.

“Southwest Airlines ought to join our marketplace friends in complying with the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination directive,” the airline’s main government, Gary Kelly, explained in a assertion asserting the mandate. “I persuade all Southwest staff to meet up with the federal directive, as speedily as achievable, considering the fact that we benefit each and every particular person and want to make certain work protection for all.”

The pilots union, which stated that it does not oppose vaccination, experienced warned that enforcement of this kind of a mandate could lead to labor shortages and flight disruptions. The union is suing the airline for using a sequence of “unilateral actions,” such as the vaccination requirement.

In a Friday court filing, the union reported that the mandate “unlawfully imposes new disorders of employment” on pilots and asked a choose to cease the airline from enacting that necessity along with other procedures and steps.

United Airlines, the to start with massive U.S. carrier to impose a mandate, claimed lately that nearly all of its 67,000 employees have been vaccinated, other than for about 2,000 who experienced used for spiritual or healthcare exemptions and less than 250 who experience being fired for failing to comply. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airlines have since adopted match.

Delta Air Lines has said it will not need vaccination, but will charge unvaccinated employees $200 far more for every thirty day period for overall health coverage.