Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways Aircraft Mechanics Set to Vote on Seniority Integration Proposal

DALLAS, Dec. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is pleased to announce the Executive Boards of both the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union representing Southwest Airlines aircraft Mechanics, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the union representing the Mechanics of AirTran Airways, voted to send a negotiated Seniority Integration Proposal to their respective memberships for a ratification vote. This proposal would integrate the two groups' seniority lists, and also create a single labor agreement. The Executive Boards of each Union have agreed to forward the negotiated proposal to the membership of both AMFA and the Teamsters to review the proposed agreement and ultimately put it to a ratification vote. Southwest Airlines finalized closing of the acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc., on May 2, 2011.

"The momentum of the integration our two great airlines is starting to build as we approach the end of an exciting and eventful 2011," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "I want to commend all parties involved in this critical integration process. Everyone involved took ownership of their roles, and I want to congratulate our teams for delivering what we feel is a fair and equitable deal for both sides."

"We are proud of both Maintenance groups' initiative and persistence, allowing for Mechanics from both Unions a voice in their future, outside of arbitration," added Brian Hirshman, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President of Technical Operations. "The integration of two large airlines is not an easy task, but the Aircraft Mechanics from both sides demonstrated understanding and diligence through this process, and their efforts should be recognized and commended."

Each Maintenance group will now spend the next several weeks reviewing the proposed agreement before putting it up for a ratification vote. AMFA represents approximately 1,800 Southwest Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Employees, and the Teamsters represent more than 400 AirTran Aircraft Mechanics.

In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has recently acquired AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. Southwest serves 72 cities in 37 states and is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 37,000 Employees systemwide.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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