Southwest Pilots Support Sun Country Pilots' Efforts Toward an Improved Contract

DALLAS, April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the pilots of Sun Country (SCA) picket today outside of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) announces support of the SCA pilots' efforts to obtain an improved contract. Sun Country Airlines pilots are the lowest-paid Part 121 B-737 pilots in the country and have been in contract negotiations for more than five years. In February, the SCA pilots voted nearly unanimously to authorize ALPA to call a legal strike if necessary, upon a release from mediation by the National Mediation Board and the expiration of a cooling-off period.

"Sun Country pilots have the lowest 737 pay rates for scheduled carriers and are about 30 percent below the industry average pay for this equipment," said SWAPA President Capt. Paul Jackson. "Low fares do not have to equal low wages in our industry and we fully support our friends at Sun Country in seeking a fair agreement."

Sun Country management has failed to offer industry-standard fair compensation to pilots despite doubling the number of aircraft and profitability in recent years under new ownership. The company's most recent contract offer would still leave the SCA pilots at the bottom of 737 pilot pay rates for another five years. The SCA pilots' union leadership is proposing gradual increases toward the industry average, with the goal of reaching middle ground by the end of the contract term.

Located in Dallas, Texas, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) is a non-profit employee organization representing the more than 8,000 pilots of Southwest Airlines. SWAPA works to provide a secure and rewarding career for Southwest pilots and their families through negotiating contracts, defending contractual rights and actively promoting professionalism and safety. For more information on the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, visit www.swapa.org.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association

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http://www.swapa.org