The Hawaiian Airlines pilots’ union has petitioned the federal government to release them from the requirement to mediate. They have offered arbitration in lieu of mediation, which could start the ticking of the 30 day clock for a pilot strike. The request was made in a letter to the National Mediation Board and included the fact the union thinks continued mediation is useless. If either side denies the chance to arbitrate, the sides begin a cooling off period for 30 days, at which point they could enter self-help. Self-help options include a strike or lockout.

The letter also explains that management failed to negotiate realistically and continues to seek bankruptcy-style concessions. The union also believes members have been offered only below-average pay within the industry and says it will continue to resist an agreement without significant changes offered by the board.

The union believes the airline’s board is not negotiating in good faith because it wants to prolong bargaining and avoid a solution. They pointed out there is no operational or financial reason why a reasonable solution should not have already been reached.

A strike authorization was voted on in May and 99% of the pilots in the union gave the go-ahead to strike if a resolution is not reached. The contract was amendable as of mid-September 2015, and the two sides have engaged in negotiations for over a year. They entered the federal mediation this past January.

The chairman of the union further points out the company continued to suspend profit sharing and did everything it could to not avoid a strike. They believe at this point, the only thing that will get the company to budge on its stance is the threat of a strike.