| TWU Local 556’s Negotiating Committee met with the Company in a series of meetings held February 27 – March 2 in New Orleans. While Members have called for the Company to Make It Right in recent pickets, the Negotiating Committee again carried the message to the negotiating table as they demanded a modernized Collective Bargaining Agreement for the more than 18,000 Flight Attendants of Southwest Airlines.Your Union is pleased to report that a Tentative Agreement has been reached on Article 11, which governs the Reserve System. Long a source of exhaustion and fatigue for Flight Attendants, a new Reserve System is something that your Union has demanded for years. An important milestone was reached as the Company, and the Union came to an agreement on a more modern Reserve System that eradicates 24-hour call.
While the Negotiating Committee is pleased with the progress the Tentative Agreement on this article represents, there is much more to be done. This series of negotiations was not without its challenges, none more apparent than the Company’s most recent proposal, which can only be referred to as tone-deaf.
As you were notified by your Union, this week at the table, the Company proposed removing Flight Attendants’ ability to flip trips for VJA on the last day and first three days of a bid period. The Negotiating Committee responded firmly that this concession was completely unacceptable and non-negotiable.
The Negotiating Committee thanks Members for standing strong together, showing Management that under no circumstances will we lose this ability to earn extra income while we fight for the many improvements that our workgroup must see in our new Contract.
While it’s important to acknowledge milestone achievements like the Tentative Agreement on Article 11, the Negotiating Committee recognizes that there are still significant challenges ahead, as Southwest Airlines has clearly exhibited that it is very out of touch with what our workgroup needs to see in the next Contract. Your Union will continue to fight at the table until the Company delivers a complete deal that benefits all Flight Attendants, Junior and Senior, Reserve and Lineholders.
While the Negotiating Committee was at the table on Thursday, our Members carried out another successful picket in Dallas. We want to sincerely thank every person that came out to help spread our message. We are getting closer, and with Members’ continued support, we can achieve a Contract that reflects the hard work and dedication of Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants. |
