Southwest reaches tentative deal with flight attendants
Written on March 28, 2009
DALLAS - Southwest Airlines Co. said Thursday it reached a tentative deal that provides raises for its 9,800 flight attendants.
The company said the four-year contract was reached with Local 556 of the Transport Workers Union, which represents the attendants.
Details of the terms were not disclosed.
Daryl Krause, a Southwest senior vice president, said the deal would improve pay and benefits.
The union said the agreement included pay raises, an increase in contributions to workers’ 401(k) retirement plans and improvements in leave and job security. The union said it made no economic concessions.
“Times are tough in the airline industry, but labor relations don’t have to be,” said Local 556 president Thom McDaniel online payday loans. He said negotiations were conducted “with a spirit of cooperation and partnership.”
The union local’s board voted Thursday to recommend the tentative agreement, which will go to employees for ratification in the next few weeks. Results of voting are expected by the end of May.
Negotiations began in May 2008.
Dallas-based Southwest operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 employees.
Filed in: management, money.