Southwest Airlines Statement Regarding Aircraft Mechanic No Vote on Seniority Integration Agreement
DALLAS, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today offered a statement in response to the "no" vote by the Southwest Airlines Aircraft Mechanics, represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) Local 11, on the tentative seniority integration agreement it had with the Company and with Aircraft Mechanics with AirTran Airways. This tentative agreement would have integrated the two groups' seniority lists.
"With the rejection of the seniority integration proposal, we understand that Employees have different perspectives and opinions on this issue, but our goal continues to be the speedy resolution of seniority integration," said Jim Sokol, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Maintenance Operations. "Our vested interest remains focused on our Employees, and we fully support a proposal that meets their needs without increasing complexity, creating division, or diminishing Southwest's Culture."
The next step in this process is the joint filing for arbitration by AMFA and IBT. The Company's preference is that the two parties come to a resolution before arbitration begins, and it remains open to working with both Unions to reach a solution that supports a comprehensive integration. AMFA represents approximately 1,600 Southwest Airlines Aircraft Mechanics, and the IBT represents more than 400 AirTran Aircraft Mechanics.
Southwest and AirTran Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Flight Attendants have already successfully completed the Seniority Integration negotiation process. Work groups still in seniority integration negotiations include Aircraft Mechanics; Ramp, Operations, and Provisioning Agents; Customer Service Agents and Customer Support and Service Employees; Dispatchers; and Materials Specialists.
SOURCE Southwest Airlines
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article