Tentative Agreement Announced, Vote Date Is To Be Determined

Southwest Airlines and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) 550, representing the carrier's more than 180 Dispatchers, announced today that the two parties have reached a tentative agreement. The tentative agreement is for a new, five-year contract through November 2014, and will be presented to all Southwest Dispatchers pending a final review and approval from the TWU 550 Board of Directors. The current contract became amendable in November 2009.

In early 2011, the Carrier sought assistance from the National Mediation Board (NMB) through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act. Both Southwest and TWU 550 would like to thank the NMB for its role in reaching this current tentative agreement.

"I am extremely proud of both negotiation teams and their dedication in accomplishing this important task," said Matt Hafner, Southwest Airlines Vice President of the Operations Coordination Center (OCC), which includes the Dispatchers. "This tentative agreement represents hours of hard work and I'm pleased to say is mutually beneficial for not only our hard-working Dispatchers, but also the entire Company, our Customers, and our Shareholders during this challenging economic time in the airline industry."

In the upcoming weeks, the TWU 550 membership will be given the full details of the agreement and have the opportunity to vote on ratification.

FMI: www.southwest.com