Machinists union ratifies new Southwest Airlines agreement
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Government & Regulation,
Southwest Airlines
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 142 announced (23-Jun-2009) membership ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with Southwest Airlines. The four-year agreement covers the carrier's 5,300 customer service and reservation agents and was approved by 54% of the members voting.
IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham said, "This agreement provides financial security for our members while giving Southwest Airlines the stability it needs to continue growing in a very difficult economic climate.”
The new agreement provides an immediate three% wage increase, retroactive to 01-Nov-2008, with top pay increasing to USD26.61 per hour over the life of the accord. Other improvements include a significant increase in retirement benefits, with company-paid 401(k) contributions increasing one%, to 8.3%, retroactive to 01-Jan-2009. The contract calls for Southwest to again increase 401(k) matching contributions to 9.3% on 01-Jan-2011.
The previous IAM-Southwest Airlines collective bargaining agreement became amendable on 31-Oct-2008, and a tentative agreement on new terms was reached on 05-May-2009. This new agreement becomes amendable on 31-Oct-2012.
(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 24-Jun-09
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Machinists union ratifies new Southwest Airlines agreement 
