Southwest pilots enter mediation

In order to facilitate movement in contract negotiations, the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) has officially filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB), the federal agency that oversees contract negotiations in the airline industry.  After two-plus years of negotiations both sides are currently too far apart to realistically expect an agreement outside of a mediated process. “This is certainly not a step either side wants to take during negotiations, and certainly not a typical step in the pilot and management relationship at Southwest Airlines,” said Mark Richardson, SWAPA President.  “But times have certainly changed.” In a statement, SWAPA