Southwest Airlines announced on Wednesday, October 25, that it has achieved a preliminary agreement with the Transport Workers Union Local 556, which represents nearly 19,000 flight attendants. This landmark agreement marks a significant milestone for the airline industry in the United States.
The company stated that the union would be responsible for conveying the specifics of the agreement and the voting schedule directly to its members.
Notably, Transport Workers Union Local 556, representing Southwest’s dedicated flight attendants, has expressed concerns over their members not receiving a pay increase for the past four years. The flight attendants at Southwest have been advocating for improved compensation and a more favourable work-life balance in their upcoming contracts.
In the last couple of years, various unions in the aerospace, construction, airline and rail sectors have been actively advocating for higher wages and enhanced benefits, taking place within a competitive labour market.
In August, Southwest Airlines had previously reached a preliminary labour agreement with the union representing approximately 17,120 transport workers responsible for ramp operations, provisioning and cargo handling.
It is worth noting that United and American Airlines have yet to reach an agreement with their flight attendants regarding new contracts.
