Southwest Air Expands Layoff Threat With Warning to More Workers
- Carrier sends notices to 403 members of mechanics groups
- Wave is second in two weeks as airline seeks 10% cost cuts
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Southwest Airlines Co. sent another 403 workers warnings that they could be furloughed, as the carrier struggles to shave $500 million from labor costs and avoid the first involuntary layoffs in its 49-year history.
The airline expects the mechanics and other employees to be laid off in January if it can’t reach agreements with unions, according to an emailed statement Wednesday. Since seniority rights mean Southwest can’t know which individuals ultimately will be let go, it sent another 1,503 workers notice that they could be affected.