Southwest Airlines and Teamsters Union Announce Contract Ratification

DALLAS, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airlines Division, representing the carrier's Material Specialists (formerly known as Stock Clerks), announced today that the IBT membership ratified a mutually beneficial tentative agreement. The agreement is for a new, five-year contract through Aug. 16, 2013. The current contract became amendable on Aug. 16, 2008. One year ago, Southwest and the Teamsters agreed to seek assistance from the National Mediation Board through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act. IBT represents more than 170 Southwest Airlines Employees.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with this valued workgroup," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "The new agreement incorporates a job title change that better reflects the functions performed by the IBT members. The new contract also provides for wage and benefit enhancements in exchange for work rule improvements and contract flexibility, which are important elements for Southwest to effectively compete and set a path toward growth."

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, now serving 71 cities in 36 states. On March 13, 2011, Southwest initiated service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also 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 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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