Your negotiating committee traveled to Dallas this week hoping Southwest management would deliver a sensible proposal to resolve our outstanding issues at the bargaining table. Unfortunately, the Company must not have thought it important enough to pass anything, most importantly Article 7 with the Company’s commitment to end the constant and consistent abuse of Mandatory Overtime.
The Company took time to pen a weak rebuke of our efforts to bring a quality of life issue to the bargaining table. They thought it more important to bargain directly with employees instead of at the bargaining table. This is just a way for the Company to avoid addressing the #1 issue submitted from our members – disrespecting your quality of life by using unreasonable and compulsory overtime after you have left work for the day or on your scheduled day off. We are one of the largest domestic passenger carriers (if not the largest), and we are deserving of a guarantee that our time and lives are not abused.
Every major carrier regards employee personal time as something that must never be abused. An extreme emergency, such as flight diversions, severe/inclement weather gives rise to the use of Mandatory Overtime. Other airlines have the ability to use Mandatory Overtime; however, it is used in cases of a clear emergency, which Southwest refuses to define. We all understand that the operation needs to run, and during times of catastrophic events, we all must pull together in order to make it through to the next day. That is what has made us Southwest, our ability to rise above. Southwest Airlines management, though, has taken our goodwill towards the company that we love and has used Mandatory Overtime as a staffing tool. Southwest does this in place of hiring new employees where even they agree more staffing is needed. Southwest knows that we will continue to show up to work for days on end, work our shift and then be extended into perpetuity, and come back with a smile and deliver the same outstanding service we are known to provide.
When is enough enough?
Fraternally,
April Butler Kenny Champagne Carrie Lessley Jessica Morris
GENERAL CHAIRS
Ian Scott-Anderman
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Lollie Beecher (MSY) Teresa Beynon (PC) Dennis DeFrank (SOS)
Charity Hamer (MDW) Sheri Parmann (FLL) Nancy Shortino (CC)
NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE
POST ON ALL IAM BULLETIN BOARDS
