Join Pilots And Flight Instructors In Clearing The Way For Final Merger

Flight Attendants from Southwest Airlines, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) 556, and AirTran Airways, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) Council 57, voted Tuesday to ratify their Seniority Integration Agreement. This tentative agreement, reached late last year, integrates the two groups' seniority lists. Southwest Airlines finalized closing of the acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc., on May 2, 2011.

"I want to commend the Company negotiating team for their leadership in facilitating an agreement and the Unions for educating the membership and giving our Flight Attendants a chance to vote, and a voice in this process," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "The Flight Attendants make up one of our largest work groups and to have this crucial first step in integration process complete is a testament to everyone involved."

"I'm grateful for the many hours those on the Negotiating Teams dedicated to this effort," added Mike Hafner, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Cabin Services. "I'm pleased for the favorable outcome and excited we can now focus on the next steps in the integration process. The Southwest and AirTran Flight Attendants have proven they can rally together for the greater good of Southwest Airlines. I'm proud to lead such a passionate and committed work group, and we're ready for all the exciting things to come."

TWU represents approximately 9,800 Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants, and the AFA represents close to 2,400 AirTran Airways Flight Attendants.

Tuesday's vote by the Flight Attendants means they now join the Pilots and Flight Instructors as having successfully completed the Seniority Integration negotiation process. Mechanics from both airlines are currently reviewing their tentative seniority integration agreement and will vote in the next several weeks. Work groups still in seniority integration negotiations include Ramp, Operations, and Provisioning Agents; Customer Service Agents and Customer Support and Service Employees; Dispatchers; and Materials Specialists.

FMI: www.southwest.com