“Informational picketing is common during contract negotiations, and we do not anticipate any disruption in service resulting from the demonstration planned by off-duty Flight Attendants,” said a spokesperson. In a statement, Southwest said that as a matter of company culture, it encourages employees to express their opinions. Flight attendants are hoping that the pickets will add pressure on Southwest to engage with their negotiating committee in a more productive fashion. A mediator has been assigned, the union said, but the parties have yet to formally meet. TWU Local 556 in July filed for a federal mediator from the National Mediation Board to help break the impasse. The negotiations thus far have failed to yield an updated agreement, which would be submitted to the flight attendants for a vote. In this case, flight attendants say, Southwest has negotiated lackadaisically since their collective bargaining agreement became amendable in 2018.

The agreements do not expire, like the latter instead, they become amendable. Under the federal Railway Labor Act - which covers all U.S.-based airlines, including Southwest - employees have collective bargaining agreements rather than traditional contracts. An 11th demonstration, in Florida, was canceled as Hurricane Ian approached the state’s west coast. The Houston picket was one of 10 that took place across the country Tuesday. They’re losing trust in the company quickly.” “Our flight attendants are very, very exhausted and disappointed. “It is time for Southwest Airlines to make it right,” said Denny Sebesta, who has been a Southwest flight attendant for 34 years and is serving as a member of the negotiating committee for TWU Local 556 - the union for Southwest’s more than 18,000 flight attendants. They would like safer working conditions, including an end to 24-hourlong on-call shifts.Īnd the flight attendants also are calling on the airline to make greater investments in the technology used by employees, when it comes to scheduling shifts and booking flights - upgrades that would improve the passenger experience too, they said. The flight attendants are seeking improvements in pay, such as pay for the period when passengers are boarding flights. The informational pickets aimed to call attention to negotiations that have dragged on for nearly four years. Southwest Airlines flight attendants picketed Tuesday near Houston's Hobby Airport as they continue to press for changes to their contract with the Dallas-headquartered airline. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less The flight attendants want to negotiate a new contract with the demands of better pay, safety on the job and improved quality of life. Off-duty Southwest Airlines flight attendants and members of TWU Local 556 picket Tuesday near Hobby Airport. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less 6 of6

Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less 5 of6 Off-duty Southwest Airlines flight attendants and members of TWU Local 556 Tuesday picket near Hobby Airport. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less 4 of6 Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less 3 of6 Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Show More Show Less 2 of6 A Southwest Airlines flight attendant gives a thumbs up to cars driving by as she pickets Tuesday with other members of TWU Local 556 near Hobby Airport.

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