DALLAS, April 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced that it has reached an
Agreement in Principle with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal
Association (AMFA) for the Company's Aircraft Mechanics and Related
Employees workgroup. The five-year agreement includes terms for
updated work rules, improved wages and benefits, and a ratification
bonus.
"I am pleased that we have reached an Agreement in Principle
after these extended negotiations with the support and assistance
of the National Mediation Board," said Southwest Airlines Vice
President of Labor Relations Russell
McCrady. "The agreement is good for our People and helps
Southwest maintain an efficient operation."
"I appreciate everything our Employees do each day to ensure
that our Southwest fleet is safe and reliable. This agreement
rewards their efforts with an industry-leading offer," said
Southwest Airlines Vice President of Maintenance Operations
Landon Nitschke.
The Agreement in Principle will be committed to final contract
language before it is sent to affected Employees for a vote. The
date for a ratification vote will be determined in the coming
weeks.
The current AMFA contract became amendable on August 17, 2012. Mediation was filed by AMFA on
July 6, 2015. AMFA represents over
2,400 Southwest Employees in the Mechanics and Related Employees
workgroup.
About Southwest Airlines Co.
In its 47th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co.
(NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air
carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than
55,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 115 million passengers
annually, in recent years. Southwest became the nation's largest
domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on
the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent reporting of
domestic originating passengers boarded. During peak travel
seasons, Southwest operates more than 4,000 weekday departures
among a network of 100 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries.
Southwest has announced its intention to sell tickets in 2018 for
service to Hawaii, subject to
requisite governmental approvals.
Southwest coined Transfarency® to describe its
purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and
low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S.
airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone (first
and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply,
some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in
qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare
differences might apply.
As the launch customer of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 in North America, the Company operates the
largest fleet in the world of Boeing aircraft, all of which are
equipped with satellite-based WiFi. Customers who connect to the
WiFi network may use their personal devices to view on-demand
movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free,
live TV.
With a bold new look first unveiled in 2014, Southwest is
progressing through a multi-year refresh of its fleet to showcase
the carrier's Heart: a new logo, aircraft livery, interior
design featuring new seats, Employee-designed uniforms, and an
updated airport experience, all of which showcase a dedication of
Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in
their lives.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of
Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and
increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With 45
consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most
honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line
approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and
productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they
serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online
at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.