Various labor unions of pilots in the United States have expressed concerns to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) over Wizz Air. The European low-cost carrier is seeking approval for cargo and charter flights to the US, but unions have urged the DOT to deny this approval over concerns about anti-union stances at the airline.
Wizz Air under fire from unions
Over the last week, four separate unions have filed with the DOT, urging them to deny Wizz Air’s foreign air carrier permit application. The first was the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA). SWAPA highlighted concerns over Wizz Air’s lack of a description of services. This includes plans of cities, frequencies, and potential schedules. However, one of the union’s biggest concerns was Wizz Air’s labor practice, which it states have included opposition to unionization, claiming that these practices undermine labor standards under the US-EU Transport Agreement.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) raised similar concerns. This union raised concerns over Wizz Air targeting employees who may refuse to fly overtime or call in sick. ALPA has concerns about how Wizz Air treats contract pilots employed via individual employment contracts that allow the airline to hire pilots at lower salaries. This is on top of ALPA’s lengthy examples of anti-union behavior from the airline. The Allied Pilots Association, which represents American Airlines pilots, also joined in opposition and raised potential concerns of the impact on American Airlines.
Wizz Air’s application has raised concerns from US pilots. Photo: Airbus
From the cargo world, the Independent Pilots Association (IPA), representing UPS pilots, took a stand against Wizz Air’s operations. In addition to anti-union concerns, it also raised concerns about whether Wizz Air’s anti-union policies could be a detriment to flight safety. Other unions also highlighted reports that Wizz Air urged pilots to fly…