Southwest Airlines Workers New Contract

EULESS (WBAP/KLIF) – Ground crews at Southwest Airlines have narrowly approved a new contract.

It comes after almost five years of negotiations.

Members of the Transport Workers Union Local 555 okayed the deal by a 50.4 to 49.6 margin, only a 75 vote difference.

The new deal includes a 20-percent pay raise over the life of the contract as well as a slight increase in retirement compensation and retroactive pay for some.

Dallas-based Southwest continues to negotiate with several of its largest unions on new contracts.