Southwest Airlines reaches tentative agreement with Transport Workers Union

[February 22, 2024]   (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with a local unit of the Transport Workers Union that represents nearly 18,000 operations, provisioning, ramp and cargo agents, the company said on Thursday.  

A Southwest commercial airliner takes off from Las Vegas International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., February 8, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

The carrier did not provide any details about the agreement signed with TWU 555, which will communicate details of the deal directly to its members.

Southwest is also in contract discussions with its cabin crew members, who in January approved a strike mandate after rejecting a tentative contract.

In the past two years, unions representing pilots, flight attendants and maintenance workers have sought higher wages, better scheduling and other benefits against the backdrop of a tight labor market.

Last month, Southwest pilots approved a labor contract, which will offer about a 50% raise over a five-year period.

Bumper pilot contracts have driven up operating costs across major airlines and have also encouraged other groups to demand similar gains.

Since October 2022, Southwest Airlines has ratified contracts with nine worker groups.

(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Sriraj Kalluvila)

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