October 19, 2026 — The president of the union that represents Southwest Airlines flight attendants has stepped away from the job, and the union’s first vice president is now running it.
What happened
TWU Local 556, which represents Southwest’s flight attendants, said President Kristina Peterson “has taken a leave of absence.” A start date and an expected return date have not been published (TBA). Under the local’s bylaws, First Vice President Sam Wilkins takes on the president’s duties while she is away.
The change comes at a turbulent time for the local. View from the Wing reports that the Transport Workers Union’s national office has appointed an overseer to audit how the local spends member dues. Claims circulating on social media about why the leave was arranged have not been verified.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Union | TWU Local 556 (Southwest flight attendants) |
| On leave | President Kristina Peterson |
| Acting in her place | First Vice President Sam Wilkins |
| Length of leave | TBA |
What it means for non-revs
- There is no strike, job action or schedule change tied to this news, so there is no reason to change any Southwest travel plans.
- Southwest flight attendants should watch for official updates from the local on who is handling grievances, scheduling disputes and member questions during the leave.
- For everyone else at Southwest and across the industry, union leadership instability can slow down labor talks and internal votes, so this is worth following.
Sources
- View from the Wing — Southwest Flight Attendants Union Head Leaves Amidst Conspiracy Theory [Roundup]
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