(Reuters) - The pilots union at Southwest Airlines Co on Tuesday announced staffing and funding for a committee to prepare pilots and the flying public for a walkout, in case it cannot reach a contract deal with management in coming months.
The new strike preparedness committee will work with outside consultants and others in the union, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA), said in a news release.
The union filed for the National Mediation Board (NMB) to oversee contract talks in November after negotiations had dragged on for more than three years. The latest round of talks began in February.
"While a strike is certainly not in either side's best interest ... (we are) doing our due diligence to prepare our pilots and passengers for the next steps in this federal mediation process should we not be able to reach a deal," union President Paul Jackson said in the release.
In response to the committee announcement, Southwest said its customers have no reason to worry or change their travel plans.
"We have full faith in the mediation process," spokesman Brian Parrish said in a statement. "Both parties are under the authority of the (National Mediation Board), and SWAPA would not be able to strike without the NMB releasing both parties from mediation."
(Reporting By Jeffrey Dastin in New York; Editing by Ted Botha)
Relacionados
- Fenavin cierra su primera jornada con más de 5.300 contactos comerciales concertados
- Almagro hace sudar a Djokovic en una buena jornada para la 'Armada'
- F. Díaz advierte al 15M que se hará cumplir la ley en la jornada de reflexión
- Fernández Díaz advierte de que se hará cumplir la ley si el 15M realiza un acto en la jornada de reflexión
- Bolsa de Valores de Lima baja y dólar sube al inicio de la jornada del martes
