Southwest lawsuit claims union workers avoiding overtime

Southwest Airlines is suing a major union and its leaders, charging that they did nothing to stop mechanics from boycotting overtime assignments. Southwest says it relies on mechanics working consistent overtime hours to keep up with maintenance work, and that a boycott has driven up costs by forcing it to bring in outside workers. The lawsuit comes as the airline and the union remain locked in contract negotiations that have dragged on for more than 4 years despite the help of a federal labour mediator. Southwest said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association and 8 union officers failed to prevent workers from banding together to decline overtime work this month. The company said there was a 75% drop in union workers signing up for overtime shifts last weekend. <br/>