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A Southwest Airlines pilot explains why you will not hear anything about vaccine mandates from his union


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2021 Oct 10, 5:57pm   1,636 views  73 comments

by Patrick   ➕follow (55)   💰tip   ignore  

https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/urgent-a-southwest-airlines-pilot/comments?token=patrick.net



URGENT: A Southwest Airlines pilot explains why you will not hear anything about vaccine mandates from his union - and why Southwest has more flexibility than it admits to stand up to the White House
Alex Berenson 2 hr ago
383
The pilot emailed following the first Southwest post today (and provided his SWA ID to prove his identity). He asked that I paraphrase the email.

Essentially, the union cannot organize or even acknowledge the sickout, because doing so would make it an illegal job action. Years ago, Southwest and its pilots had a rough negotiation, and the union would not even let the pilots internally discuss the possibility of working-to-rule (which would have slowed Southwest to a crawl).

But at the moment the pilots don’t even have to talk to each other about what they’re doing. The anger internally - not just among pilots but other Southwest workers - is enormous. The tough prior negotiations notwithstanding, Southwest has a history of decent labor relations, and workers believe the company should stand up for them against the mandate. Telling pilots in particular to comply or face termination has backfired.



Meanwhile, Southwest has more flexibility than it has acknowledged. Federal contracts represent about 3 percent of its revenue, but even the Biden administration CANNOT alter existing contracts (please note, I have not checked this, though it seems reasonable); Southwest is only at risk of losing future contracts.

This pilot believes that the fact that the airlines received $25 billion in no-strings-attached cash for “payroll support” last year (as well another $25 billion in loans) has made them particularly reluctant to stand up to the Biden administration. Southwest’s CEO, Gary Kelly, may be in an especially tough spot since he is the head of the airline lobbying group.



Finally: This pilot says he loves Southwest and finds the crisis painful but feels that if this is the only way Americans can stand up to these mandates, then let the chips fall.


Also:

https://nitter.pussthecat.org/Anabel_Villeroy/status/1447378890255654918#m


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1   Patrick   2021 Oct 10, 6:05pm  

https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/urgent-an-american-airlines-employee/comments


URGENT: An American Airlines employee reports a similar effort is underway there
Alex Berenson 5 hr ago
392
He provided a photo of his badge as confirmation he is an employee.




2   Patrick   2021 Oct 10, 6:06pm  

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/southwest-airlines-cancels-1000-more-flights-as-disruptions-increase_4041406.html?utm_source=patrick.net&utm_medium=patrick.net&utm_campaign=patrick.net


Southwest Airlines Cancels 1,000 More Flights as Disruptions Increase
BY JACK PHILLIPS October 10, 2021

Southwest Airlines has canceled at least 1,000 Sunday flights as of 12 p.m. ET, according to flight tracker FlightAware, coming after numerous cancelations were reported Saturday.
3   B.A.C.A.H.   2021 Oct 10, 7:19pm  

That's OK. The pilots, and their management, and all the lower paid folks at those airlines will all understand that airline travel is frivolous.
4   Patrick   2021 Oct 10, 8:02pm  

https://reclaimthenet.org/los-angeles-county-sheriff-says-hell-refuse-to-enforce-vaccine-passport-mandate/


October 9, 2021
Los Angeles County Sheriff says he’ll refuse to enforce vaccine passport mandate

If you're tired of the destruction of digital civil liberties subscribe to Reclaim The Net.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff said he will not enforce the vaccine passport proposals passed by the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday because he would lose about 10% of his workforce.

The sheriff’s department budget was reduced by $145.5 million last summer and Sheriff Alex Villanueva says already risks losing hundreds of officers and he’s not willing to lose another batch by enforcing the city’s vaccine mandate.

Video Player

“This is like the worst of two worlds right here, so we have to pick and choose,” said the sheriff.

He added: “I don’t want to be in a position to lose 5, 10% of my workforce overnight on a vaccine mandate.”

“I’m not forcing anyone,” said Villanueva. “The issue has become so politicized. There are entire groups of employees that are willing to be fired and laid off, rather than get vaccinated.”

The new vaccine mandate, considered one of the strictest in the country, makes vaccine passports compulsory for all city employees.

Villanueva has previously hit headlines for refusing to enforce mask mandates because they are, in his opinion, not “backed by science.”
6   Patrick   2021 Oct 11, 9:24am  


Buck Sexton
@BuckSexton
15h
Lying to the American people about the cause of a major workers’ strike that has crippled an airline seems very Soviet, doesn’t it
1:23 AM · Oct 11, 2021
7   Patrick   2021 Oct 11, 9:38am  

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.352616/gov.uscourts.txnd.352616.11.0.pdf


IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES PILOTS §
ASSOCIATION, §
§
Plaintiff, §
§
vs. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:21-cv-2065-M
§
§
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO., §
§
Defendant. §
§
PLAINTIFF’S OPPOSED MOTION
FOR TEMPORARY AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 65, Plaintiff Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (hereinafter
“SWAPA” or “Plaintiff”), by and through its President Casey Murray, and by and through its
attorneys, Gillespie Sanford LLP, hereby move the Court for a temporary restraining order and for
further preliminary injunctive relief against Defendant Southwest Airlines Co. (“Southwest
Airlines” or “Defendant”). The injunctive relief sought will restrain the Defendant from
interfering with the federal Railway Labor Act-protected rights of its pilot employees represented
by SWAPA.
Despite SWAPA filing its Original Complaint in this matter on August 30, 2021 and
complaining of Southwest Airlines’ violations of the Railway Labor Act (“RLA”), Southwest
Airlines has repeatedly continued to take the position that its unilateral actions which violate the
status quo are within Defendant’s “management rights.”
Case 3:21-cv-02065-M Document 11 Filed 10/08/21 Page 1 of 8 PageID 70
PLAINTIFF’S OPPOSED MOTION FOR TEMPORARY AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION PAGE 2
Several times since August 30, 2021, Southwest Airlines has taken new unilateral actions
which violate the status quo between the parties in further violation of the Railway Labor Act.
Most recently, on October 4, 2021, Southwest Airlines unilaterally rolled out a new and nonnegotiated
COVID vaccine mandate for all employees, including SWAPA pilots. The new vaccine
mandate unlawfully imposes new conditions of employment and the new policy threatens
termination of any pilot not fully vaccinated by December 8, 2021. Southwest Airlines’ additional
new and unilateral modification of the parties’ collective bargaining agreement is in clear violation
of the RLA. Because of Southwest Airlines’ continued unilateral actions, and its continued
violations of the RLA which harm SWAPA and its members, this motion is necessary and SWAPA
respectfully seeks an immediate hearing.
Counsel for SWAPA has conferred with counsel for Southwest Airlines in a good-faith
attempt to resolve this dispute by agreement. No agreement could be reached because Southwest
Airlines refuses to negotiate and denies its unilateral actions are interfering with the federal
Railway Labor Act-protected rights.
8   Patrick   2021 Oct 11, 10:04am  

https://boriquagato.substack.com/p/in-support-of-southwest-employees

in support of southwest employees
the right to say "no" is the basis of a free people ...




... if this is terrorism, then so is every failure to accede to federal or employer diktat.
personally, i stand with the employees of southwest.

i hope the employees of american airlines join them.

i hope ALL employees do.
9   NuttBoxer   2021 Oct 11, 11:00am  

Remember this. The people you're trying to step on, we're everyone you depend on. We're the people who do your laundry and cook your food and serve your dinner. We make your bed. We guard you while you're asleep. We drive the ambulances. We direct your call. We are cooks and taxi drivers and we know everything about you. We process your insurance claims and credit card charges. We control every part of your life.

We are the middle children of history, raised by television to believe that someday we'll be millionaires and movie stars and rock stars, but we won't. And we're just learning this fact. So don't fuck with us.
10   B.A.C.A.H.   2021 Oct 11, 1:24pm  

I just realized my friend 69 years of age, no health problems, no comorbidities, unexpectedly died in his sleep in May, may have received the vaccine soon before his passing. I spoke at his funeral.

The widow, also a friend, and his two adult kids, have been too much in shock and too grievous, to broach the topic. Even now she is still too much immobilized by the shock and grief.

The guy had no obvious health problems. He was a serious hiker in the Bay Area hillside trails. He'd think nothing of doing a 20-mile hike. The hike up to Mission Peak was like a walk in the park for him.

There's been no talk of an autopsy. I don't want to bring it up.
11   mell   2021 Oct 11, 3:59pm  

B.A.C.A.H. says
I just realized my friend 69 years of age, no health problems, no comorbidities, unexpectedly died in his sleep in May, may have received the vaccine soon before his passing. I spoke at his funeral.

The widow, also a friend, and his two adult kids, have been too much in shock and too grievous, to broach the topic. Even now she is still too much immobilized by the shock and grief.

The guy had no obvious health problems. He was a serious hiker in the Bay Area hillside trails. He'd think nothing of doing a 20-mile hike. The hike up to Mission Peak was like a walk in the park for him.

There's been no talk of an autopsy. I don't want to bring it up.


Even 70 year olds - when healthy- do not just drop dead unless there is a convincing freak cause that can be proven easily in such a case. Likely the jab if otherwise healthy. Sorry to hear
12   Patrick   2021 Oct 11, 4:59pm  

This massive increase in "rare" deaths does not seem to be slowing down in the least:



https://patrick.net/post/1340091/2021-07-13-vax-death-spike?offset=120#comment-1786486
13   porkchopXpress   2021 Oct 11, 5:00pm  

Texas Governor just banned vaccine mandates by ANY entity!
14   B.A.C.A.H.   2021 Oct 11, 5:02pm  

Patrick says
This massive increase in "rare" deaths does not seem to be slowing down in the least:

Hi Patrick, can you please cite the source? I may want to share that elsewhere.
15   Patrick   2021 Oct 11, 5:06pm  

Added link: https://patrick.net/post/1340091/2021-07-13-vax-death-spike?offset=120#comment-1786486

Source is CDC data, plotted by our very own @Onvacation
16   B.A.C.A.H.   2021 Oct 11, 5:08pm  

Patrick says
Source is CDC data, plotted by our very own @Onvacation

Thank you
20   Patrick   2021 Oct 12, 10:16am  

https://www.australiannationalreview.com/health/pilots-and-air-traffic-controllers-walk-out-because-of-vaxx-mandates-southwest-airlines-officially-still-blaming-the-weather/

Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers Walk Out Because of Vaxx Mandates, Southwest Airlines Officially Still Blaming the “Weather”
21   Patrick   2021 Oct 12, 4:50pm  

https://beckernews.com/we-are-not-going-to-fire-any-employees-over-this-southwest-ceo-comes-out-in-opposition-to-biden-vaccine-mandate-42505/


“We are Not Going to Fire Any Employees Over This”: Southwest CEO Comes Out in Opposition to Biden Vaccine Mandate
October 12, 2021by Kyle Becker
22   Patrick   2021 Oct 12, 5:12pm  

https://notthebee.com/article/southwest-pilots-might-be-striking-against-vax-mandates

Southwest really doesn't want you to know that their pilots might be striking in droves against the vax mandate
23   GNL   2021 Oct 12, 6:33pm  

Patrick says
https://beckernews.com/we-are-not-going-to-fire-any-employees-over-this-southwest-ceo-comes-out-in-opposition-to-biden-vaccine-mandate-42505/


“We are Not Going to Fire Any Employees Over This”: Southwest CEO Comes Out in Opposition to Biden Vaccine Mandate
October 12, 2021by Kyle Becker

No, they won't be fired, they'll just be put on unpaid leave.
24   HeadSet   2021 Oct 12, 7:20pm  

WineHorror1 says
No, they won't be fired, they'll just be put on unpaid leave.

I dunno. There is a pilot shortage right now and "unpaid leave" pilots would be near impossible to replace.
25   GNL   2021 Oct 12, 7:38pm  

HeadSet says
WineHorror1 says
No, they won't be fired, they'll just be put on unpaid leave.

I dunno. There is a pilot shortage right now and "unpaid leave" pilots would be near impossible to replace.

I have to ask if the government and the big Corporations don't, in fact, care much if the economy goes to shit.
Does anyone think any "important" person is going to go hungry or lose any sleep over their comfort or safety?
26   komputodo   2021 Oct 13, 7:25am  

HeadSet says
I dunno. There is a pilot shortage right now and "unpaid leave" pilots would be near impossible to replace.

Why would they care? Their reward for following the narrative will be a massive bailout for management and shareholders...win win
27   HeadSet   2021 Oct 13, 8:13am  

komputodo says
HeadSet says
I dunno. There is a pilot shortage right now and "unpaid leave" pilots would be near impossible to replace.

Why would they care? Their reward for following the narrative will be a massive bailout for management and shareholders...win win

Good point.
31   Patrick   2021 Oct 14, 2:09pm  

https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/the-not-so-friendly-skies/comments


The not-so-friendly skies
Alex Berenson 7 hr ago
Get ready for turbulence ahead.

Yesterday American Airlines had almost 300 of its flights canceled, almost 10 percent of its total schedule, far more than ANY other carrier in the United States (Southwest remains second), and another 673 delayed. It is no doubt purely coincidental that I have heard from multiple pilots at American this week and that its pilot forums are filled with anger at the vaccine mandate.

It is also no doubt a coincidence that Delta - which has had far fewer problems than the other big carriers - has been the only one NOT to impose a vaccine mandate.

Meanwhile, though they still insist last weekend’s meltdown had nothing - NOTHING, I TELL YOU - to do with their vaccine mandate, Southwest’s executives have dramatically changed their rhetoric about said mandate. ...

I leave you with this email from yesterday:

I‘m a paid subscriber and thankful to be so. I’m also a pilot and fly international routes. On our trip back today from Europe to one of the airports in Texas we heard quite a bit of chatter on the 121.5 emergency frequency we always monitor. We figured out that it was people saying “Let’s go Brandon” and in some cases something worse

😀
And we heard this most of the way after crossing the Canadian border. In my 20+ year the frequency has always remained silent. Not today.
32   HeadSet   2021 Oct 14, 4:26pm  

Patrick says
we heard quite a bit of chatter on the 121.5

121.5 is the civilian "Guard" channel that all aircraft are required to listen to at all times while flying. Rarely used. Stuff like a control tower calling a plane that is not on the correct frequency like "82 X-Ray, Houston on Guard, please contact tower on 122.6." Of course, everyone hears that and knows you goofed.
33   Patrick   2021 Oct 17, 5:50pm  

https://www.ntd.com/southwest-airlines-asks-court-to-reject-effort-to-block-covid-19-vaccine-mandate_689922.html?utm_source=patrick.net&utm_medium=patrick.net&utm_campaign=patrick.net


Earlier this month, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) filed a lawsuit to prevent the carrier from mandating that all its workers get vaccinated. The union asserts that Southwest, which last week experienced thousands of flight cancelations and delays, illegally changed work rules instead of negotiating with them.


But now Southwest is fighting its own pilots' union.
34   Patrick   2021 Oct 18, 6:04pm  

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/hundreds-of-southwest-workers-protest-covid-19-vaccination-mandates-at-airlines-headquarters_4054830.html?utm_source=patrick.net&utm_medium=patrick.net&utm_campaign=patrick.net


Hundreds of Southwest Workers Protest COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates at Airline’s Headquarters
BY JACK PHILLIPS October 18, 2021

Hundreds of Southwest Airlines employees protested outside the carrier’s headquarters in Dallas against the pending COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to footage posted online.
35   Patrick   2021 Oct 19, 12:50pm  

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/southwest-airlines-backs-off-plan-to-put-unvaccinated-employees-on-unpaid-leave_4057068.html?utm_source=patrick.net&utm_medium=patrick.net&utm_campaign=patrick.net


Southwest Airlines Backs Off Plan to Put Unvaccinated Employees on Unpaid Leave
BY JACK PHILLIPS October 19, 2021

Southwest Airlines told its employees that it will delay a plan to place workers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 on unpaid leave if they haven’t yet obtained a medical or religious exemption.
37   HeadSet   2021 Oct 20, 1:10pm  

Patrick says
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/10/southwest-caves-scraps-plan-put-unvaccinated-workers-paid-leave-pilots-protest-covid-vax-mandate/

Not a real victory:
Southwest Airlines has scrapped a plan to put unvaccinated employees who have applied for but haven’t received a religious or medical exemption on unpaid leave starting by a federal deadline in December.

This only helps those who applied for a religious or medical exemption, and then only if the exemption is later approved.
38   NuttBoxer   2021 Oct 20, 1:32pm  

It's a step in the right direction. The bigger story is Delta deciding not to mandate at all. The tide is turning.
39   Patrick   2021 Oct 20, 2:53pm  

HeadSet says
This only helps those who applied for a religious or medical exemption, and then only if the exemption is later approved.



It is offensive that they could even "investigate" your religious beliefs and maybe deny your exemption.
40   porkchopXpress   2021 Oct 20, 3:04pm  

Patrick says
It is offensive that they could even "investigate" your religious beliefs and maybe deny your exemption.
This is why I made my exemption about my "religion of one", and unrelated to organized religion at all. Then you don't need anyone to vouch for your beliefs and it's all within your control.

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