DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Southwest Airlines and its pilots’ union reached a new preliminary labor agreement this week after years of negotiations.
The five-year deal is worth about $12 billion. Raises are expected to match increases of 40% or more over four years that pilots at other airlines are getting.
“This AIP comes after three-and-a-half long years of negotiating. We are finally at a place where we think the value of our pilots and their productivity is being realized,” said SWAPA President Captain Casey Murray. “Our pilots and Southwest Airlines customers deserve security and confidence in our future and we believe that this contract achieves that.”
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association’s 25 board members will meet on Wednesday on whether to release the agreement to a membership vote.
If approved, the AIP then becomes a Tentative Agreement, which is then voted on by the 11,000-plus pilot membership.
The Dallas-based carrier’s pilots and flight attendants have complained about pay and erratic schedules.
Southwest is the last major airline to land a contract deal with its pilots. Delta, United and Fort Worth-based American have already come to agreements.
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