Dallas-based Southwest Airlines and its union representatives reached a tentative agreement on Monday concerning pay raises for customer service representatives.
“This agreement rewards our hardworking customer service employees, who have certainly demonstrated their dedication to Southwest as they have continued to assist our Customers throughout the pandemic,” said Adam Carlisle, vice president of Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines, on March 28. “We appreciate the dedication and fortitude demonstrated by both Negotiating Committees as we worked to reach this agreement.”
If approved by the workers, the deal will provide an immediate 6.5% pay increase to more than 6,000 employees and a 3% raise each year over the next three years. Bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 are also included in the agreement.
Southwest agreed to the pay raises despite dealing with the current surge in fuel prices and inflation concerns.
In addition to the economic benefits, the agreement includes provisions regarding overtime. The workers will be granted enhanced protection for their ‘day of rest’ when overtime is mandatory and a 32-hour monthly cap on overtime.
The agents were represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). The union tried previously to get a better agreement for the workers in August, but the efforts failed “overwhelmingly,” according to a statement from the IAM.
However, John Coveny, president and general director of the IAM District 142 Lodge, says the new contract provides larger upfront wages and overtime protections.
“We really pushed to put in protections so that members wouldn’t feel overworked,” said Coveny.
