TWU Local 556 Extreme Operational Update
The TWU Local 556 Executive Board has been in constant contact with Inflight leadership since irregularities affected the Southwest schedule on Friday night. The operation is in crisis, and we are working as a Board to provide the most up-to-date information.
President Montgomery convened an emergency Executive Board Meeting to update the Board on her various communications with Management throughout this crisis and the situation. The Company is reporting that it will take time to recover. More cancelations are anticipated until the operation is stabilized. Your Executive Board is serving in various roles to increase capacity with our internal staffing and providing support for our Membership during this challenging time.
TWU Local 556 has increased coverage at the Union office for additional Member support. The TWU 556 App is another good resource for Contract information, helpful education pieces (such as the Contract 101s and IROPS FAQ), the Chat feature to be connected directly to the Office Team, and much more. If you use Facebook, please continue to monitor the TWU Local 556 Facebook Page and the Official TWU Local 556 Facebook Group for informational updates.
Below you will find useful tips to assist during challenging times, such as those we are experiencing.
- It is important if an entire Crew is affected by a reschedule or cancellation, only one Crew Member calls Scheduling. Multiple phone calls to Scheduling increases the wait times for everyone.
- Please document the time you initiated contact with Scheduling and your hold times by taking a screenshot of your phone.
- If you are waiting for the Crew Ops Support Agents (COSA) to assign a hotel room or transportation, monitor the “Trip Remarks” on your trip screen. Many times there will be a notation documented in this section well in advance of notification by phone.
- When wait times for hotel accommodations are excessive, Article 22.2.G allows a Member to secure their own hotel room. You may do so by using Hotels Tonight, Expedia, or any other hotel booking sites available to you.
- Taxi / RideShare – excessive wait time. Article 22.2.A allows a Member to secure their own transportation if it is not available within thirty (30) minutes from the time it is required. Retain your receipts for reimbursement.
In closing, TWU Local 556 will be reviewing the root cause for this IROPS occurrence. We are working to address our Member’s immediate concerns and determine how Southwest can better prepare for operational issues as they arise. Continued operational threats are harmful to our Company, our Customers, and our Membership. As a reminder, Flight Attendants are still under Emergency Sick Call Procedures. If you are well and able to work, please report for duty as scheduled.
click below for the Contract 101’s on Article 33: commuter Policy
click below for the Contract 101’s on Article 8: Hours of Service
click below for the Contract 101’s on Article 9: Additional Flying
click below for the Contract 101’s on Article 9: Junior Available (JA)
Use the TWU Local 556 Chat App to get your contract questions answered! You may reach a Grievance Team Specialist by calling (800) 969-7932 or utilizing the TWU Local 556 Chat App.
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 0800 – 1800 CT
Weekends and holidays 0900 – 1700 CT
Chat App Hours:
Monday – Friday 0800 – 2200 CT
Weekends and holidays 0900 – 1700 CT
An Officer is always on call for emergencies such as drug and alcohol testing advice, family deaths/critical incidents, severe injuries on the job, and aircraft accidents or incidents at ALL times outside of office and chat hours; including holidays.