TWU Local 556 Negotiation Update #8

We met this week with Management on February 26–28.

During this session, Management responded to our Article 13, Uniform proposal.

We had proposed increases to the annual uniform allotment. Management responded with a uniform allotment scale based on the amount of straight time TFP a Flight Attendant works. Management’s proposed scale would provide different annual allotment amounts based on the number of TFP worked by Flight Attendants in the previous calendar year. This proposed language would mean that some Flight Attendants who only fly his/her awarded bid lines would not be able to achieve the maximum uniform allotment. Those who flew a higher TFP would get more money to purchase uniforms than others.  

This was not acceptable to your Negotiating Committee.

Any language that conditions entitlement to contractual rights and/or benefits based on a minimum amount of flying is considered a minimum by this Negotiating Committee. We will continue to push back against any Company proposal that introduces a requirement for minimum flying because that ultimately affects your ability to adjust your schedule based on life events. We understand how important it is for us to maintain our flexibility. These types of minimums and maximums, no matter the way in which they are introduced in bargaining by the Company, will never be acceptable!

Management rejected the lion’s share of the provisions contained in our Article 13, Uniform proposal. We proposed certain easy, no-cost items that are important to our Flight Attendants, such as: not having to wear uncomfortable high heel shoes with the dress and being permitted to wear service shoes on board. It was disheartening to see Management outright reject these proposed quality-of-life provisions. The ability to wear shoes that will not cause injury (as high heel shoes can do, especially when wearing them at aircraft attitude) is something our Flight Attendants have requested and would reduce associated healthcare costs.

To add insult to injury, Management also rejected simple language that would contractually ensure we can proudly display our Union pin while at work. The complete rejection of this language speaks volumes as to the new way Management treats its employees and labor unions.

Our founder, Herb Kelleher, commented on the relationship he fostered with Southwest’s Unions when he said: “We’ve never treated them as adversaries. We’ve always treated them as partners, because if that canoe goes down, we’re all going down with it.”

Sadly, this new Southwest Airlines’ way of thinking, clearly, no longer embraces Herb’s admired attitude toward labor relations.

On day two, Management presented us with their analysis of thirty-one sections from the Collective Bargaining Agreement that they believe will be affected by the new FAA-mandated 10-hour rest rule. They did not indicate a time frame for which they would be implementing the new rest regulations. The FAA has yet to mandate a deadline for airlines to comply with the new rule. We are reviewing the information and comparing it to our own analysis.

Finally, we presented our proposal on Article 25, Health & Safety at the outset of Thursday’s negotiations. In today’s climate, it is especially important that our Contract contains appropriate provisions to maintain our safety, health, and security.  We presented language in this proposal intended to codify current practices, modernize our contractual health, safety, and security provisions, and bring this Article into line with the rest of the industry’s health and safety practices for Flight Attendants. We look forward to the Company’s counterproposal on this Article at our next scheduled session.

Remember:

• Wear your Union pin every time you come to work!
• Wear it as a sign that Labor Unions at Southwest matter!
• Wear it if you love Herb Kelleher!
• Wear it to show you want a world-class Contract!
• Wear it as a sign of Solidarity!

Our next Negotiations Session is March 26 – 28.

You can always submit your ideas or comments regarding Negotiations by contacting your Negotiating Committee directly at Negotiators@staging1.twu556.org.