The Show on KJZZ

Listen live weekdays at 9 a.m.

Southwest Airlines Declares 'Operational Emergency' As Dispute With Their Mechanics Continues

Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 12:15pm
Updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 8:38am
Audio icon Download mp3 (7.78 MB)

Before the long weekend, Southwest Airlines told its mechanics the company is experiencing an “operational emergency” because the average number of planes out of service has more than doubled. The airline threatened them with termination if they don’t show up for work to fix the problem.

This comes at a time when the airline has been in contract negotiations with its mechanics’ union since 2012, and this development could affect flights coming and going from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

CNBC got a hold of the company memo about the emergency, and The Show was joined by airline reporter Leslie Josephs to talk about it.

More Stories From KJZZ

BusinessThe Show