Some of Southwest Airlines unionized ground workers are holding an informational picket at the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport today as contract talks that began in 2011 have stalled.Southwest employees are leafleting fliers at the airport in an effort to inform passengers about what they say are company demands that will compromise customer service.
Transport Workers Union Local 555 representative Richard Perry, a 14-year veteran ramp agent, says the airline wants to keep wages flat, eliminate benefits, and outsource up to 20 percent of the ground crews jobs
"We're all career employees. Most of us own stock in the company. We have a vested interest and we don't like the way the company is doing business. I don't really believe that they're bargaining in good faith, right now," Perry said.
Similar informational pickets are being held Thursday at 16 airports in 12 states. About 65 ground crew members work at the Buffalo airport. The union represents more than 9,400 Southwest ground crew workers nationwide.
Perry says the dispute is happening at a time when Southwest is widely considered one of the most successful airlines in the industry, with $421 million in profit last year.
"I don't understand why they want all these concessions because we're making money. We posted a profit for 40 straight years," Perry said. "We're worried about the safety and customer service of our customers if we outsource a portion of our work
A Southwest spokesperson says the company supports it employees' right to express themselves and will continue to actively participate in negotiations to provide fair wages and benefits to its workers. The spokesperson says the Southwest is making every effort to reach union agreements that are "rewarding, flexible, and secure," while allowing the airline to remain competitive long-term.