Labor talks between a Dallas-based carrier and its ground crew workers could finally be drawing to an end following two years of back-and-forth negotiations.
Southwest Airlines and Transport Workers Union Local 555, which represents more than 17,000 ground workers, reached a tentative agreement on August 9 that could increase pay and benefits for ramp, operations, provisioning, and freight staff employed by the Dallas-based carrier.
“Our hardworking Ramp, Operations, Provisioning, and Cargo Agents serve a valuable role in helping Southwest Airlines by providing a great experience for our Customers,” said Adam Carlisle, vice president of labor relations at Southwest Airlines, in a news release.
“I’m pleased with the work by both parties to reach a Tentative Agreement that would offer Employees well-deserved compensation increases and give Southwest needed efficiencies to keep us competitive,” he said.
Ground crews play an essential role in the airline industry, and without them, planes could not take off or operate efficiently, according to Randy Barnes, president of the union local.
“Planes don’t take off without us,” said Barnes, according to The Dallas Morning News. “While working in extreme weather, and face-to-face with customers, our members load and unload luggage, supply snacks and beverages to the aircraft, and accept and ship freight. They are the last people passengers see when they board planes and the first people they see when they arrive at their destination.”
Despite reaching a tentative agreement with its ground crew, Southwest Airlines is still in ongoing labor talks with its pilots and flight attendants, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The Dallas Express reached out to TWU Local 555 for comment on the tentative agreement but had not heard back by the time of publishing.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Southwest Airlines made holiday headlines in late December when almost 17,000 flights were canceled over icy weather and tech infrastructure issues that created a domino effect that left passengers stranded in airports, in some cases for multiple days.
Union members will be able to cast their votes on whether to ratify the contract between September 8 and 20, the DMN reported.