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Southwest Airlines reaches wage-increase deal with flight attendants

By Andrew V. Pestano
The terms of the new collective bargaining agreement between Southwest Airlines and its flight attendants will be released in the coming weeks. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
The terms of the new collective bargaining agreement between Southwest Airlines and its flight attendants will be released in the coming weeks. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, July 6 (UPI) -- Southwest Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with its flight attendants for wage increases, work-rule adjustments and bonus opportunities.

The terms of the deal will be released in the coming weeks, according to Southwest Airlines. The flight attendants are represented by Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 and its more than 13,500 members will be able to vote for ratification of the agreement.

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"I applaud the efforts of everyone who worked so hard to craft an agreement that rewards our flight attendants for their excellence," Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven said in a statement. "This tentative agreement not only provides additional money, it also supports Southwest's low-cost structure and positions the company to be competitive in the years to come."

The current contract became amendable in May 2013 and the new deal would run through May 2019.

"We have the finest flight attendants in the industry," Southwest Airlines Vice President of Cabin Services Mike Hafner said in a statement. "Each day and on every flight, our flight attendants bring Southwest's purpose to life for our customers -- connecting them to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable and low-cost air travel."

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TWU Local 556 President Audrey Stone has been the lead negotiator in talks with Southwest.

"I am excited that after two years of negotiations, we have an agreement to present to the best flight attendants in the industry that recognizes their dedication to our customers and to our company," Stone said in a statement. "This [Collective Bargaining Agreement] assures that the Southwest Airlines flight attendants continue to be the highest paid in the industry through 2019. It maintains and improves upon an industry-leading Contract, while ensuring that Southwest Airlines' remains prosperous in the future."

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