Southwest Airlines mechanics picket in Phoenix

Southwest Airlines mechanics picketed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Friday morning, the first in a series of events planned around the country to protest the lack of a contract and maintenance outsourcing.

Several dozen mechanics, represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, demonstrated outside Terminal 4, Southwest's Phoenix home. The airline has one of its busiest operations at Sky Harbor, with 170 daily non-stop flights.

The mechanics carried signs featuring a heart — Southwest's symbol — split in two. 

"4 years no contract. No LUV,'' the signs said, referencing Southwest's stock symbol.

Union spokesman Brian Mayes said Southwest's 2,400 mechanics, including about 300 in Phoenix, have been without a contract for nearly five years. A major sticking point: the company's desire to outsource more aircraft maintenance.

"They're wanting to do more of it ... and the mechanics say these guys (at outside companies) are not certified enough, they're not experienced enough,'' Mayes said.

Southwest spokesman Dan Landson said the airline respects employees' right to picket and agrees that negotiations for a new contract have gone on too long.

"We are dedicated to reaching an agreement as soon as possible,'' the airline said in a statement. "To that end, we put forward multiple paths to an agreement during the June mediation session. We believe it’s past time for mechanics to vote on an agreement and hope that AMFA will partner with us to get our mechanics the offer they’ve earned.”

Southwest has a maintenance center at Sky Harbor. In March, the airline announced plans to double the size of the maintenance facility as part of a broader expansion that includes new gates in Terminal 4.

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