Topline
Although Southwest Airlines has not yet confirmed the cancellations, Republicans in Congress quickly criticized the airline and sided with employees. The disruptions were allegedly caused by an internal protest against the Covid-19 vaccine mandate.
WASHINGTON DC - AUGUST 4: Senator Judiciary Subcommittee Chair Ted Cruz (R.TX) asks... [+] witnesses at a hearing on "anarchist violence" at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Capitol Hill, August 4, 2020. The subcommittee heard a range of testimony on topics such as peaceful protests by Black Lives Matter demonstrators and actions by the antifascist decentralized group in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images). Getty Images
The Key Facts
Southwest reported cancelling almost 2,000 flights Saturday and Sunday. The airline blamed bad weather and air traffic control problems. This immediately sparked speculation by Republicans about the new vaccine mandate. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) took to Twitter to announce the cancellations as a result of Joe Biden's illegal vaccine mandate. He was referring to the federal requirement that major airlines have workers vaccinated, or risk losing lucrative contracts. Chip Roy, a fellow Texas Republican, went one step further and said that he was 100% behind the employees of the Dallas-based company. He called on his colleagues in Congress to boycott Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., also took up the cause for Southwest employees. Biggs said he supports what he called a fight to freedom.
Chief Critic
Roy wrote: Shut them down They should not be allowed to ask for bailout if they are from the House or Senate.
Important Background
The lawsuit by Southwest's pilots union on Friday sought to stop Southwest from implementing the vaccine mandate. This led to a series of complaints and scrutiny. Southwest cancelled more than 25% of its Sunday flights. The massive disruptions caused by bad weather and an air-traffic management program imposed on Southwest by the Federal Aviation Administration were sourced by the company and its union representing its pilots. Commentators pointed out that Southwest was not the only airline to cancel flights on Saturday. This and the internal opposition to the November 24 vaccine mandate by the company has led to speculation that disruptions may be linked to the mandate.
Important Quote
A spokesperson for Southwest denied any connection to the mandate, despite speculations about a sick out. According to a statement, the weekend challenges were not caused by Employee protests as some reported. Today's operation is closer to normal, as we are able to navigate some new weather conditions in our system.
Continue reading
Southwest Annulls More Than 1000 FlightsPilots Retorts Over Covid Vaccine Mandate
Southwest Air Pilots Want to Block Covid Vaccination Mandate [Bloomberg]
White House: Millions of government contractors must be vaccinated before Dec. 8, according to Reuters
