, United and Delta have increased pressure on management with staged demonstrations throughout the fall. Three of those four airlines have accepted some form of tentative deals, but American and United pilots rejected pay raises of 20% or more before the contracts could even go to members. Delta’s deal is still pending.Southwest Airlines pilots picketed for improved work conditions in June outside Dallas Love Field.
While pilots are prohibited from striking without approval from federal labor officials, a strike threat has already been uttered by Delta’s pilots, who voted to authorize a strike. Leaders from the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association brought up the possibility of striking earlier this month when the board of directors authorized union president Casey Murray to call for a strike vote, although that’s a long way from an actual walkout.