SOUTHWEST AIRLINES DISPATCHERS AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS APPROVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

Rhea-AI Summary

On February 6, 2023, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced that its Dispatchers and Facilities Maintenance Technicians have ratified new collective bargaining agreements. These agreements follow the approval of contracts by five union-represented workgroups in recent months. The Dispatchers' contract, covering over 450 employees, enhances pay and work rules, becoming amendable on June 1, 2027. Similarly, the Facilities Maintenance Technicians' contract includes pay raises and quality of life improvements, amendable on November 16, 2027. This progress reflects the company's commitment to addressing employee needs while maintaining operational efficiencies.

Positive

• Approval of new contracts for Dispatchers and Facilities Maintenance Technicians enhances employee satisfaction and retention.
• New contracts include pay increases and quality of life improvements for over 500 union-represented employees.
• Recent successful negotiations with five workgroups show a positive trend in labor relations.

Negative

• None.

DALLAS, Feb. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced its Dispatchers and Facilities Maintenance Technicians have voted in favor of their new collective bargaining agreements.

"We have now ratified agreements with five of our union-represented workgroups within the past four months," said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines^®. "While we are extremely pleased with this progress, we remain steadfastly committed to advancing the negotiations currently underway for four other Southwest workgroups."

Southwest's Dispatch Employees Approve New Contract
Southwest's Dispatch Employees, represented by the Transport Workers Union Local 550 (TWU 550), have voted in favor of their new contract.

"Our Dispatch Employees provide immense value to our organization, and this new collective bargaining agreement will give them industry-competitive pay and several quality of life enhancements, while also adding work rule efficiencies for Southwest," said Carlisle.

This agreement covers Southwest's more than 450 Flight Dispatchers, Assistant Dispatchers, Flight Superintendents, Dispatch Specialists, and Dispatch ATC Specialists and becomes amendable June 1, 2027.

Southwest's Facilities Maintenance Technicians Approve New Contract
Southwest's Facilities Maintenance Technicians, represented by Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), have also overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new contract.

"Our Facilities Maintenance Technicians do a great job maintaining our Southwest facilities across the system, and I am pleased we're able to recognize their work with a new contract that offers pay increases and quality of life enhancements," said Carlisle.

Southwest's 50 Facilities Maintenance Technicians maintain, modify, and repair all facilities across its system to provide attractive and functional spaces for Customers and Employees alike. This agreement becomes amendable November 16, 2027.

Since October 2022, five of Southwest's union-represented workgroups have voted in favor of new collective bargaining agreements—the Appearance Technicians, Customer Service Employees, Flight Instructors, Facilities Maintenance Technicians, and Dispatch Employees.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.¹ Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 66,000² People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among as many as 130 million Customers carried a year. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years³ of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. Southwest is also continuing to develop tangible steps toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, including offering Customers an opportunity to help the airline offset its carbon emissions. To be part of the solution, visit Southwest.com/wannaoffsetcarbon.

1) U.S. Dept. of Transportation most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded
2) Fulltime-equivalent active Employees
3) 1973-2019 annual profitability

 

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

FAQ

What are the recent collective bargaining agreements approved by Southwest Airlines (LUV)?

Southwest Airlines has recently approved new collective bargaining agreements for its Dispatchers and Facilities Maintenance Technicians.

When do the new contracts for Southwest Airlines' Dispatchers and Facilities Maintenance Technicians become amendable?

The Dispatchers' contract becomes amendable on June 1, 2027, and the Facilities Maintenance Technicians' contract on November 16, 2027.

How many employees are covered under the new Dispatchers contract at Southwest Airlines (LUV)?

The Dispatchers contract covers over 450 employees including Flight Dispatchers and Assistant Dispatchers.

What benefits do the new contracts provide to Southwest Airlines' employees?

The new contracts offer industry-competitive pay, quality of life enhancements, and work rule efficiencies.

How many union-represented workgroups have approved contracts recently at Southwest Airlines (LUV)?

Five union-represented workgroups have approved contracts in the past four months.