A Southwest Airlines Co. plane takes off as representatives and pilots from the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) demonstrate outside Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, May 18, 2016.
Southwest Airlines pilots' union said Thursday it sought to be released from federal mediation for a new labor contract, laying the groundwork for a potential strike as talks with the carrier haven't yet yielded an agreement.
The airline and union, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, have been in contract talks for more than three years and negotiations have been tense.
Pilot strikes in the U.S. are extremely rare, and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association's request does not mean that one is imminent because of procedures in U.S. labor law.
There are several so-called cooling off periods should the National Mediation Board declare an impasse between Southwest and its pilots' union.
Persons:
Jody R, Adam Carlisle, We've
Organizations:
Southwest Airlines Co, Southwest Airlines Pilots ' Association, Chicago, International, Southwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, National, CNBC, Southwest, Pilots, Southwest Airlines Pilots, U.S, Spirit Airlines
Locations:
Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Dallas, Southwest