Southwest Airlines pilots elect new Union President

DALLAS, TX – The membership of the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA), in voting that closed Monday, elected Captain Jon Weaks as Union President to complete the remainder of the 2015-2016 term after Captain Paul Jackson resigned effective the end of December 2015. Capt. Weaks ran unopposed and received 95.7 percent of the vote in the election to represent more than 8,300 Southwest pilots. A Zephyr Cove, Nevada resident, Capt. Weaks has been a pilot at Southwest Airlines since 1990 and is currently based out of Las Vegas.

“I am excited to lead this pilot group in 2016 as we face a different Company mentality than we have seen over the years,” said Captain Weaks. “This upper management approach to labor has left us disillusioned and bewildered. Despite this, I can assure that what we ask of the Company is rational and justified. We want to give them ample opportunity to regain our trust.”

Capt. Weaks previously held the position of SWAPA President from 2001-2002 and was a domicile representative for Oakland pilots from 1998-1999 and for Las Vegas pilots in 2015.

Weaks continued, “After three long years and record profits, a new contract is long overdue. We want to make flying for Southwest the first choice for every pilot, and we hope the Company does as well.”