Summary
- Employees may receive bonus pay and three% annual raises for 4 years pending Union vote.
- Pilots recently approved a deal for a big pay increase, differing from flight attendants.
- Agreement with ground crew could set latest industry standards with 18% wage increase.
The world’s largest low-cost carrier, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, has announced it’s reached a tentative agreement with the Transport Employees Union, which currently represents over 18,000 of its ground crew. Southwest ground crew includes baggage handlers, moving cargo, and helping restock the aircraft between flights.
With news of the agreement, staff can expect latest bonus pay and three% yearly raises for the subsequent 4 years; nevertheless, the Transport Employees Union will still have to vote on accepting the proposal. The last offer was rejected in April 2023.
Photo: Denver International Airport
Employees need a justifiable share.
With a bustling post-pandemic aviation market, airline crew from all ends of the spectrum are on the lookout for their justifiable share of advantages and salary reviewers. Just last month, the low-cost carrier approved a cope with pilots. The airline’s pilots recently voted in favor of a brand new $12 billion contract deal providing an instantaneous 29.15% pay rise and as much as a 50% salary increase over the subsequent five years. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) also authorized a strike against the carrier but never conducted a walkout.
Nevertheless, its flight attendants proceed to be in negotiations with the airline. Southwest Vice President of Labor Relations, Adam Carlisle, released this statement regarding a tentative agreement with its ground crew:
“This agreement rewards them for his or her exertions, and I’m grateful for the dedication shown by each negotiating committees as they worked to achieve this agreement.”
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
As reported by Reuters, the proposal will see a wage increase of 18% to the date of ratification, consisting of $38 per hour should you’re at the highest of the size. This sits 6.6% higher than Star Alliance member United Airlines, making this a brand new leading industry rate. Dedicated employees will find a way to achieve the highest of the size inside ten years of service, an improvement from the 11 years prior. The Executive Vice-President of the Transport Employees Union International reiterated his support of the newest proposal:
“This tentative agreement provides much needed raises and quality-of-life advantages for our hardworking members at airports across the country.”
![A Southwest Airlines check-in counter.](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_735094801_3_2.jpeg)
How Does The Southwest Airlines Boarding Process Work?
The foremost American carrier uniquely doesn’t assign seats in any respect.
A strike could possibly be looming for the cabin crew.
In response to the TWU, greater than 98% of its voting members favored a strike authorization vote against Southwest Airlines as its mediation with the low-cost carrier continues. This represents the primary time within the union’s history that its members have called for a strike.
Photo: Southwest Airlines
Despite things looking more optimistic when the TWU and Southwest agreed on a tentative deal back in October, union members would ultimately turn down a proposal that may have seen them paid greater than Delta flight attendants – the terms of this contract offered a 20% pay rise starting in 2024, followed by consecutive 3% annual raises through 2028.
![A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 on an airport apron.](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/october-base-takeoff-source-2.jpg)
Why Does Southwest Use WN As Its Airline Code?
The no-frills low-cost carrier has a curious IATA designation.