DALLAS — Southwest Airlines pilots reached a preliminary agreement with the Dallas-based carrier and voted Wednesday to send a tentative agreement to Southwest Airlines Pilots Union members to consider. Pilots will be voting on the tentative agreement until Jan. 22.
More than 10,000 Southwest pilots, represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), have been in negotiations for a new contract with the airline for more than three years.
“We know that the last few years have been difficult for our pilots as well as our customers, but we believe that this TA rewards our pilots as well as improving reliability for our passengers,” said SWAPA President Captain Casey Murray.
The agreement runs through December 2028 and the union says it provides significant gains in compensation, with pay rate increases over the next four years. The deal also includes improvements to work rules and flying schedules, better disability coverage, and increases to retirement benefits.
“Our membership has fought for almost four years to reach an agreement with Southwest Airlines,” said Murray. “They now have the opportunity to evaluate this deal and cast their vote accordingly.”
Southwest declined to share more details about the deal but confirmed an agreement in principle Tuesday.
“We are pleased to reach an Agreement in Principle with the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association for Southwest’s nearly 11,000 Pilots,” a statement from Southwest read. “The AIP is a key milestone in the process, and we look forward to the next steps.”
This comes on the heels of the $35 million fine against the airline following the December 2022 debacle when more than 2 million travelers were stranded due to canceled flights.
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