Thousands of flights canceled, workers stranded, and irate customers mark Southwest Airlines' chaotic holiday travel season. Labor unions and lawmakers are calling for accountability, blaming years of underinvestment and mistreatment of employees for the crisis.
Southwest Airlines is facing mounting criticism from labor unions and Democratic lawmakers following the cancellation of thousands of flights over the past week, stranding tens of thousands of employees and customers during the holiday season. While all airlines experienced disruptions due to Winter Storm Elliott, the severe cold snap that began days before Christmas, Southwest continues to grapple with operational challenges, canceling approximately two-thirds of its flights on Tuesday.
In contrast, major carriers like United, Delta, American, and JetBlue reported cancellation rates of 2% or less on the same day.Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson attributed the company's difficulties to its systems being 'overmatched' by the extreme weather in a memo sent to employees on Monday. However, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556, representing Southwest flight attendants, blames the ongoing operational failures and mistreatment of workers on the airline's years-long refusal to invest in crucial technological upgrades. 'The way Southwest Airlines has treated its flight crews can only be termed 'despicable,'' stated Lyn Montgomery, a Dallas-based flight attendant and president of TWU Local 556. 'We know the demands of holiday travel. We know winter storms. And believe me, we know about stepping up and putting in long work hours when we are called to do so; we are flight attendants,' Montgomery added. 'But at this point, the many years of failure by management, despite many unions' demands to modernize, has left flight attendants fatigued, stranded, hungry, and cold—on Christmas! This impacts lives and threatens safety for all.'TWU Local 556 reported that thousands of Southwest crew members have been stranded across the country, with some forced to sleep on cots in airports, others in hotels lacking power or water, and many working extended hours well beyond acceptable duty limits. 'Trying to get home for Christmas seems like a dream to flight attendants who are struggling with the nightmare of simply trying to secure appropriate shelter, food, and rest,' the union lamented. Southwest employees have also faced mistreatment. A leaked memo from last Wednesday revealed that Southwest's vice president for ground operations, Chris Johnson, informed ramp agents at Denver International Airport (DIA) that they would be terminated if they refused mandatory overtime or took sick leave without providing an immediate doctor's note upon their return. Like many corporations, Southwest benefited from billions of dollars in federal aid during the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this financial assistance, there have been no noticeable improvements in working conditions for employees or for consumers. CEO Bob Jordan saw his annual compensation package increase to $9.1 million in 2022. Meanwhile, thousands of Southwest customers remain stranded at airports nationwide, with limited information about their luggage or when they might reach their destinations. Although the company stated on Monday that its agents are working to re-accommodate passengers, it also announced plans to 'continue operating a reduced schedule by flying roughly one-third of our schedule for the next several days.
Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellations Winter Storm Holiday Travel Labor Unions Customer Service Corporate Accountability
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