Yes Southwest would have violated the contract just like they did with Canada outsourcing, and 4th line. They do it time and time again only to stall it out thru-out the processes for years in courts if needed.
Blue is correct about AMFA never said we had leverage with ETOPS. In fact, the union guys actually said that the company will do whatever they want and worry about fighting it later. Although we don't really have any leverage with the ETOPS, I do know for fact that the FAA is watching these nego's to see if both sides will sign off on something agreeing to who will be performing the ETOPS before they give the final go ahead. Not saying it will hold anything up, just saying it will make the FAA's decision to grant ETOPS final to SWA with an agreement from both sides is all. No union will stop a company from expanding especially into Hawaii.
Yes, the co. is asking for relief, and yes, they would not waste their time asking for relief if they did not have to.
Yes ETOPS has been extended and the latest was just announced about a week ago that Oct. will not happen for Hawaii for flights but still might make ticket sales by Oct. Notice that this announcement came after the co. found out that the vote will not be tallied until mid Sep. so they kinda took Oct off the table for Hawaii flights.
One thing i do know for fact is, there is a huge training issue not being compliant with all our CBT's. SWA has been informed get compliant with CBT training or no ETOPS blessing. This why they have cracked down so hard on the foreman on getting their work groups compliant on CBT training, so they won't miss out on ETOPS cert.
Again, no real leverage with ETOPS, but it would be much easier to obtain ETOPS clearance if CBT's are current and an agreement from both sides on who will be performing ETOPS, maybe just call it an advantage not leverage.