Southwest Airlines and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and Aerospace Workers District 142, representing the airline’s Customer Support and Services and airport Customer Service Employees announced today the two parties have reached a tentative agreement. The tentative agreement is for a new, four-year contract through October 31, 2012. The current contract became amendable on October 31, 2008. Southwest Airlines and the IAM began contract negotiations in August 2008. The Company is pleased with this tentative agreement that delivers wage and benefit increases in exchange for work rule improvements and scheduling flexibility along with productivity and gained efficiencies for Customer Support and Services Representatives in the airline’s call centers and for its airport Customer Service Agents. The Negotiation Teams struck this tentative agreement during challenging economic times. Today’s announcement demonstrates the IAM’S commitment to maintaining Southwest's competitiveness and overall financial strength as it weathers the current volatile economic environment.
In the upcoming weeks, the IAM District 142 membership will be given the full details of the agreement and will have the opportunity to vote on ratification. IAM represents more than 5,300 Southwest Airlines Employees.
Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 65 cities in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.
