DALLAS - Just ahead of what may be a record-breaking summer air-travel season, pilots from United Airlines (UA) were on picket lines at major U.S. airports May 12 - pushing for higher pay. UA pilots have been working without a raise for 4+ years while negotiating for a new contract.
The pilots are unlikely to strike within the next several months due to federal law making it difficult for air and rail unions to strike. Airline and RR workers can't legally strike, and companies can't lock them out, until federal mediators determine that negotiations are pointless.
The National Mediation Board rarely declares a dead end to bargaining, and if it does, a "cooling-off" period occurs during which the White House and Congress can block a walkout. That's what President Clinton did in 1997.
The last strike at a U.S. carrier occurred at Spirit Airlines in 2010.
The protests by UA pilots come on the heels of over strike-authorization votes by pilots at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. UA pilots could be the next to vote.
Pilots at all three carriers are looking to match/beat the Delta deal that raised pay by 34% over four years. UA management has proposed to match the Delta offer, but it may not be enough.
Discussion over wages has been limited while they negotiate scheduling, and the union's want to limit management's ability to make pilots work on off days. (CBFS News 05/11/23) United Airlines pilots picket for higher pay before busy summer travel season: "Time for the company to step up" - CBS News
Regional Note: United Airlines and Southwest Airlines destinations both include flights to the Jackson Evers Airport in Mississippi and New Orleans.
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