As we begin the ninth month of contract negotiations, we want to thank you for your continued patience and support. As mentioned in the February 10, 2012 Negotiations Update, the company’s proposals have been received as somewhat of a shock to many of our members. Based on the responses received via email to our negotiating committee and reports from our station representatives, our members see nothing but a disregard for the substantial contribution made by our membership, which has helped make Southwest Airlines the most successful airline in the world. As co-chair of our negotiating committee, let me reassure you, the TWU Local 555 membership, that your negotiating team will not allow years of progress by our TWU membership to be stripped away by what the company wants in negotiations. In the past, TWU Local 555 contracts have benefitted both our membership and the company. As you have seen, most of the company’s recent contract proposals do not benefit you and, at best, could only represent a short-term gain by some company representatives. In the long run, we would all suffer, including our

customers.

 

There have been some misconceptions as to what seasonal contract workers are. As represented in the company’s proposal, seasonal contract workers (SCWs) could be used in any current and future location to perform covered work, not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) days. SCWs represent an attack on the quality of life of our members, current and future, and our customers, which in turn is an attack on our future and appears to compromise the long-term success of our company. From day one, we learned that doing the best job possible is what keeps our customers flying Southwest Airlines. Southwest employees working diligently to provide service to Southwest Airlines customers is a basic principle on which our company was built. Bottom line, TWU Local 555 members work hard to take care of our customers, their bags, and their freight; they also provision our aircraft and perform a variety of duties related to the safe operation of our aircraft. It is impossible to believe that contract workers would perform their duties in the same manner as dedicated Southwest employees. We, as TWU Local 555 members, take pride in the work we perform day in and day out. The SWA contract workers, as proposed in negotiations, past and present, are not covered by the contract: they are employed on a short-term basis to do our work. These SCWs would receive minimal training, which is a danger to those working with them and perhaps a danger to the safety of our aircraft. Plus, the Xfactor of not being covered by the contract means there is no end to how the SCWs could affect our overtime, shifts, days off, start times, end times, job performance, and our safety. They would diminish the value our members currently represent to the company and to the flying public, which hurts our future and the future of our company.

 

Also of concern is the company’s proposal to relax the provisions in Article 2 of our contract, which currently allows the company to utilize contract workers in new stations with 12 or fewer flights with a requirement that the company notifies the union of the nature of the contract and the anticipated length of time for the third party work. Despite the fact that other airlines often rely heavily on third party contract workers, Southwest has always held firm that committed Southwest Airlines employees should perform the work at our airline. Why follow the path of other less successful airlines?

 

In closing, it is important to keep in mind that these proposals are among the company’s initial offerings and requests. Every proposal must be negotiated and both parties must agree. In the end, it is the members who vote on and accept the final contract. We will continue to work with our economist to make sure our proposals are consistent with Southwest’s profitability and needs but protect the quality of life for all of our members and service to the customer, because we all know that our future is reliant onour customers and on the continued success of Southwest