Southwest Airlines flight attendants, represented by Transport Workers Union Local 556, have voted in favour of a strike authorisation. If an agreement is not reached with the airline, the union could request a 30-day cooling-off period, after which the over 21,000 Southwest Airlines flight attendants would be free to strike.
Flight attendants have been working without a contract for five years after their last contract expired in October 2018. The union rejected a previous deal by Southwest in December 2023 which would have offered an immediate pay hike of 20% and an additional 36% increase over the five years of the new contract.
In addition, the union is asking for pay for time worked, rest between shifts, control over schedules, access to food and a safe place to rest when travelling, among other demands.Southwest Airlines flight attendant union president Lyn Montgomery said a new agreement was necessary following "five long years of negotiations, which have included both pay cuts and furloughs".
The high number of flight attendants approving the strike was likely a result of Southwest pilots having received a new contract on January 23, 2024.