Southwest Airlines secures new labor deal for 18,000 workers, enhancing compensation and benefits

Friday, March 22, 2024

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today disclosed the approval of a new collective bargaining agreement benefiting nearly 18,000 employees working as Ramp, Operations, Provisioning, and Cargo Agents. This agreement, represented by Transport Workers Union Local 555 (TWU 555), applies to the second-largest group of employees among the airline’s twelve labor contracts. The pact introduces compensation enhancements and a bonus while ensuring Southwest® can continue to invest in operational efficiencies. It also includes employer-funded maternity and parental leave. The deal with TWU 555 will be up for renewal on March 21, 2029.

“Our Ramp, Operations, Provisioning, and Cargo Agents provide exceptional Customer Service and are essential to the Southwest experience,” said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. “This new labor contract rewards them for their work and places them competitively in the industry.”

Since October 2022, Southwest has successfully concluded new contracts with 10 unionized employee groups, encompassing over 41,000 workers. These groups include:

• Appearance Technicians
• Customer Support Agents, Service Representatives, and Help Desk Associates
• Dispatchers
• Facilities Maintenance Technicians
• Flight Instructors
• Material Specialists
• Mechanics and Related Employees
• Meteorologists
• Pilots
• Ramp, Provisioning, Operations, and Cargo Agents

Moreover, Southwest announced a Preliminary Agreement with the union for its Flight Attendants on Wednesday.

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