Dallas-based Southwest Airlines and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), the union representing the carrier’s 8,400 pilots, have reached an “agreement in principle” on a new contract, according to SWAPA.
The announcement comes nearly a year after Southwest management and SWAPA reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract that was subsequently voted down by rank-and-file Southwest flight deck crew. The agreement in principle calls for a contract that would run through Aug. 31, 2020, with pay increases retroactive to 2013. Negotiations between Southwest and its pilots have been ongoing for more than four years, with the US National Mediation Board (NMB) involved since November 2014.
SWAPA president Jon Weaks said in a statement that “a new contract is certainly not a done deal,” but noted the union had taken the “the next step in the process” by reaching an agreement in principle with Southwest management. “Our negotiators were able to bring back an agreement worthy of review and discussion,” he said, adding, “However, the membership will have the final decision as always.”
SWAPA said the “potential new contract” would allow Southwest to enter into “limited partnerships with other airlines for near-international interline agreements and far-international codeshare, with enforceable restrictions.”
The union said there is “further work on final language” necessary and it plans for its board of directors to meet Sept. 19-22 to review the potential contract. If the SWAPA board decides to move forward and officially make the deal a “tentative agreement,” a 30-day ratification voting process would ensue, with voting by rank-and-file pilots to conclude by early November, according to the union.
Southwest EVP and COO Mike Van de Ven said the agreement in principle had been reached with the assistance of the NMB and that it “balances the needs of our pilots and the company.” The airline said it will “work this week to draft final language.”
ATWOnline
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