Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Kansas City received a very special “MVP” treatment on board. Donna Kelce, mother of NFL stars Travis and Jason, was introduced by the crew as “the most beloved parent.”
Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday that it has reached a tentative agreement with the flight attendants union on a new contract affecting about 20,000 flight attendants.
Trade union representatives are demanding higher wages and better working rules under the new contract terms. Previous contact information was updated in 2018.
“Southwest Airlines flight attendants support the safety and comfort of our customers while providing legendary Southwest hospitality,” said Adam Carlisle, Southwest Airlines vice president of labor and relations. “We are pleased that they will have the opportunity to vote on this new agreement.”
| ticker | safety | last | change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| love | Southwest Airlines Co., Ltd. | 28.41 | +0.24 | +0.85% |
| UAL | United Airlines Holdings Co., Ltd. | 44.55 | +0.65 | +1.47% |
| AAL | American Airlines Group, Inc. | 14.28 | +0.35 | +2.48% |
| Dal | Delta Airlines Co., Ltd. | 44.68 | +0.94 | +2.14% |
For the past two years, unions in the aerospace, construction, aviation and rail industries have been demanding higher wages and better benefits in a tight labor market.
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A Southwest passenger plane takes off from Las Vegas International Airport on February 8, 2024. (Mike Blake/File/Reuters Photo)
Since October 2022, nine Southwest unions have ratified new agreements with airlines.
The local chapter of the Transport Workers’ Union, which represents flight attendants, plans to present details of the agreement directly to flight attendants for a ratification vote.
“Today, the TWU Local 556 Board of Directors approved a tentative agreement with Southwest Airlines. Member education begins Monday and voting will begin in the coming weeks,” said TWU Local 556 President Lynn Montgomery.
“Our members have the final authority and they will decide whether this agreement becomes a new collective bargaining agreement with Southwest Airlines.”
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A Southwest Airlines flight attendant stands outside O’Hare International Airport in Chicago on February 13, 2024. (Taylor Glasscock/via Bloomberg/Getty Images)
In December, Southwest Airlines reached a tentative agreement with its pilots union to give its aviators 50% raises over the next four years.
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, which represents about 11,000 pilots, ratified a five-year agreement in January that includes changes to pay, retirement benefits, disability insurance and the schedule-setting process.
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A Southwest Airlines jet took off from San Diego International Airport in California. (Mike Blake/File/Reuters Photo)
“The new contract had a high turnout of 98.8%, with pilots accepting the new agreement with 92.73% in favor and 7.27% against,” the union said in a statement.
The collective bargaining agreement secures pilots an immediate 29.15% pay increase and 4% increases in each of 2025, 2026, and 2027. The contract provides for a 3.25% salary increase in 2028.
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The deal comes after the union took steps from approving a possible strike to opening a regional strike center in Texas to force airlines to come to terms after negotiations seemed inconclusive.
Last year, United Airlines pilots approved a contract that includes cumulative pay increases ranging from 34.5% to 46% over four years and other benefits, following an agreement between American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
FOX Business’ Daniella Genovese and Reuters contributed to this report.
