Mechanics union files federal lawsuit over Southwest Airlines' 'take it or leave it' negotiating tac

Mechanics union files federal lawsuit over Southwest Airlines' 'take it or leave it' negotiating tactics

Southwest Airlines’ mechanics union filed a lawsuit against the Dallas-based carrier on Friday accusing the company of negotiating in bad faith and undermining the bargaining process by communicating directly with union members in violation of federal law.

The lawsuit, filed by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association in the U.S. District Court of Arizona, is the latest escalation in an increasingly contentious contract negotiation between Southwest and the union that has stretched over four years.

AMFA alleges that Southwest’s actions violate the Railway Labor Act, which governs airline-union contract negotiations, and asked the court to require Southwest to stop communicating directly with union members through emails, in-person meetings and other forms of media.

In a statement Friday night, Southwest said the union's claims are "without merit."

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/business/southwest-airlines/2016/12/16/mechanics-union-files-federal-lawsuit-southwest-airlines-take-leave-negotiating-tactics