Southwest Airlines flight attendants have ratified a contract that may provide total pay increases of greater than 33% over 4 years as airline employees proceed to profit from the industry’s recovery for the reason that pandemic.
The Transport Workers Union said Wednesday that members of Local 556 approved the contract by a vote of 81% to 19%. The union’s board rejected a lower offer and flight attendants last summer voted against a second proposal in December.
Southwest has about 20,000 flight attendants. They will receive increases of greater than 22% on May 1 and annual increases of three% for every of the next three years.
The union said the contract provides record profits for flight attendants and sets an ordinary for other flight attendants. United Airlines and American Airlines cabin crew, represented by other unions, are still negotiating contracts.
The union said the agreement gives Southwest crews the shortest day of service and highest pay within the industry, compensation for disruptions just like the Southwest meltdown in December 2022 and the industry’s first paid maternity and parental leave. According to the union, employees may also split $364 million in ratification bonuses.
Dallas-based Southwest, the country’s fourth-largest airline, said the deal includes schedule changes and can improve the airline’s operations.
Pilot unions at Delta, United, American and Southwest last yr approved contracts that included pay increases of greater than a 3rd over several years. This week, Delta said its flight attendants and other non-union employees will receive advantages Increase by 5%.
