Flight attendants at Southwest Airlines approve a contract that will increase income by approximately 33% over 4 years

Southwest Airlines flight attendants, who have benefited from the industry’s recovery since the pandemic, have ratified a contract that includes pay increases totaling more than 33% over four years.

By a margin of 81% to 19%, Local 556 members approved the contract, according to information released by the Transport Workers Union on Wednesday. Flight attendants voted down a second proposal in December after the union’s board rejected a lower offer last summer.

There are approximately 20,000 flight attendants at Southwest. On May 1st, they will receive raises of more than 22%, and for the next three years, they will receive 3% annual increases.

According to the union, the contract offers flight attendants record earnings and establishes a benchmark for other flight attendants. Contract negotiations are still ongoing for the United Airlines and American Airlines cabin crews, which are represented by other unions.

According to the union, the agreement provides industry-first paid maternity and parental leave, the shortest on-duty day and highest pay for Southwest crews, and compensation during disruptions such as the airline meltdown in December 2022. According to the union, workers will also divide $364 million in ratification bonuses.

Southwest, the fourth-biggest airline in the US and based in Dallas, said the agreement will improve airline operations and include schedule adjustments.

Last year, pilot unions at American, Southwest, United, and Delta approved contracts that increased pay by more than one-third over a number of years. Delta announced this week that nonunion employees, including flight attendants, will receive 5% raises.