Carrier Reaches Agreements With FAs And Ramp, Operations,
Provisioning, and Freight Agents
Southwest Airlines reached a
tentative agreement last week with the Transport Workers Union
Local 556, which represents more than 9,800 Southwest Flight
Attendants. The tentative agreement is for a new four-year contract
through May 31, 2012. Southwest and TWU 556 began contract
negotiations in May 2008.
"We are pleased with this mutually beneficial contract that
delivers enhancements to pay and benefits for our hard working
Flight Attendants," said Daryl Krause, Senior Vice President of
Customer Services. "This agreement demonstrates TWU 556's
commitment to maintain Southwest's unique culture, competitive
position, and financial strength during these challenging economic
times."
Thursday, the TWU 556 Board voted for the Tentative Agreement to
be presented to the Flight Attendants for their vote. The TWU 556
membership will be given the full details of the agreement and will
have the opportunity to vote on ratification in the next few
weeks.
"We know it's up to all of us to help the company succeed," TWU
Local 556 president Thom McDaniel, a flight attendant for 17 years,
said. "I would say there are no concessions at all in the
contract." McDaniel added that the contract includes three years of
mandated pay raises, with salaries in the fourth year to be based
on the profitability of the company.
In other negotiations, Southwest's Ramp, Operations,
Provisioning, and Freight Agent Employees, represented by the
Transport Workers Union Local 555,
voted four-to-one to ratify the tentative three-year
agreement both parties reached in February 2009. The
new contract is active through June 30, 2011. The official
Collective Bargaining Agreement will be signed in Dallas on April
7, 2009.
"We're very pleased our hard-working employees, represented by
TWU 555, voted to ratify this new contract," said Greg Wells,
Senior Vice President of Operations. "Today's positive vote allows
us to reward our Ramp, Operations, Provisioning, and Freight Agent
Employees for their contributions to Southwest, but at the same
time enables the Company to sustain its success in an increasingly
tough economy."
The new contract delivers raises in exchange for work rule
improvements and scheduling flexibility along with productivity and
gained efficiencies. TWU Local 555 represents approximately 7,780
Southwest Airlines Employees.