The union representing pilots at Southwest Airlines (LUV) is planning to hold a strike vote weeks after a meltdown at the carrier left tens of thousands of passengers stranded during the busy holiday travel season.
The airline said the proposed strike vote will not affect operations and is “not an indication of an impending work stoppage.”
With travel demand and profitability returning, pilots at all major U.S. airlines have been demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), which represents some 10,000 pilots at the carrier, said it will hold a strike vote beginning on May 1.
Southwest’s pilots have been engaged in labour talks over a new contract with the airline for nearly three years.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) offered its pilots a 34% cumulative pay increase over three years in a new contract after the Atlanta-based carrier's pilots voted last October in favour of a strike.
Industry observers and analysts say that the Delta Air Lines offer is likely to serve as a benchmark for other airline contracts.
Southwest Airlines’ stock is down 18% over the last year and trading at $36.30 U.S. per share
