Mon, Dec 26, 2011
No Date Set For Final Ratification Vote Among Members Of Two
Unions
Southwest Airlines said in a news release Thursday that the
Executive Boards of both the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal
Association (AMFA), the union representing Southwest Airlines
aircraft Mechanics, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
(IBT), the union representing the Mechanics of AirTran Airways,
voted to send a negotiated Seniority Integration Proposal to their
respective memberships for a ratification vote. This proposal would
integrate the two groups' seniority lists, and also create a single
labor agreement. The Executive Boards of each Union have agreed to
forward the negotiated proposal to the membership of both AMFA and
the Teamsters to review the proposed agreement and ultimately put
it to a ratification vote. Southwest Airlines finalized closing of
the acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc., on May 2, 2011.
"The momentum of the integration our two great airlines is
starting to build as we approach the end of an exciting and
eventful 2011," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "I want to commend all
parties involved in this critical integration process. Everyone
involved took ownership of their roles, and I want to congratulate
our teams for delivering what we feel is a fair and equitable deal
for both sides."
"We are proud of both Maintenance groups' initiative and
persistence, allowing for Mechanics from both Unions a voice in
their future, outside of arbitration," added Brian Hirshman,
Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President of Technical Operations.
"The integration of two large airlines is not an easy task, but the
Aircraft Mechanics from both sides demonstrated understanding and
diligence through this process, and their efforts should be
recognized and commended."
Each Maintenance group will now spend the next several weeks
reviewing the proposed agreement before putting it up for a
ratification vote. AMFA represents approximately 1,800 Southwest
Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Employees, and the Teamsters
represent more than 400 AirTran Aircraft Mechanics.
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