Swa Flight Attendants Reach Deal With Company
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swagalleyhag
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KC,
The duty rigs that we achieved will help compensate for ground time. Is every hour paid dollar for dollar with our trip rate? No. But if we are delayed due to weather, maintenance, etc., we will be paid a "Duty Hour Ratio" (DHR) which guarantees a minimum pay per hour on duty. Rumor has it that the DHR rig we negotiated is minimum of .70 for each hour on duty. Additionally, we kept our 10.5 hour scheduled duty day, but if our day exceeds 12.5 hours due to weather, mechanical, ATC, etc. delays, we'll get double time for those trips, and if (GOD FORBID) our day exceeds 16 hours for any reason, we get triple time for those trips.
The 7.0 DHR is the only rig we negotiated that was different than the pilots, as they have .74. However, their duty day can be scheduled up to 13 hours, and they don't get the double and triple time for days that go way too long. I think we have the better end of that deal, but that's just my opinion.
Again, no we didn't get each minute of our ground time paid, but the new rig will pay when we are delayed, have an extended ground time scheduled, etc., where before we got NADA. Going from nothing guaranteed per hour to 70% is nothing to sneeze at.
Hobbes,
To answer your question about Colleen... You are right. Shortly before Herb stepped in, Colleen made an announcement to all employees that she didn't get involved in negotiations. However, on the first meeting between the Union NT and Herb, Colleen was there, and remained at the table until the very end. Herb and Colleen did all of the "at the table" negotiating, without any of the former Management Negotiating Team. When they needed clarification, or to run numbers, etc., they would go to caucus with the rest of the team, but only Herb and Colleen sat at the table.
That's how Colleen came into play.
Rumor has it, again, from my VERY reliable source (I LOVE having a realiable source), that after the Union's Executive Board voted to approve sending the agreement to the Membership, that they had a conference call with Herb and Colleen to give them the news. They were very happy - Herb had another Wild Turkey, and Colleen cried.
WNfan,
You're right. Relationships need to be rebuilt - on both sides. Some of you think that the Flight Attendants are the devil, and some Flight Attendants will have a hard time respecting the Inflight Management.
But this isn't the first hurdle either side has crossed, and it won't be the last.
Bottom line, we didn't have to go on Strike, we didn't get Locked out. We have an agreement that makes both SWA Management happy, and from what I gather, most of the Flight Attendants are very happy.
Bridges to build, you bet. But it's finally over. Time to move on.
The duty rigs that we achieved will help compensate for ground time. Is every hour paid dollar for dollar with our trip rate? No. But if we are delayed due to weather, maintenance, etc., we will be paid a "Duty Hour Ratio" (DHR) which guarantees a minimum pay per hour on duty. Rumor has it that the DHR rig we negotiated is minimum of .70 for each hour on duty. Additionally, we kept our 10.5 hour scheduled duty day, but if our day exceeds 12.5 hours due to weather, mechanical, ATC, etc. delays, we'll get double time for those trips, and if (GOD FORBID) our day exceeds 16 hours for any reason, we get triple time for those trips.
The 7.0 DHR is the only rig we negotiated that was different than the pilots, as they have .74. However, their duty day can be scheduled up to 13 hours, and they don't get the double and triple time for days that go way too long. I think we have the better end of that deal, but that's just my opinion.
Again, no we didn't get each minute of our ground time paid, but the new rig will pay when we are delayed, have an extended ground time scheduled, etc., where before we got NADA. Going from nothing guaranteed per hour to 70% is nothing to sneeze at.
Hobbes,
To answer your question about Colleen... You are right. Shortly before Herb stepped in, Colleen made an announcement to all employees that she didn't get involved in negotiations. However, on the first meeting between the Union NT and Herb, Colleen was there, and remained at the table until the very end. Herb and Colleen did all of the "at the table" negotiating, without any of the former Management Negotiating Team. When they needed clarification, or to run numbers, etc., they would go to caucus with the rest of the team, but only Herb and Colleen sat at the table.
That's how Colleen came into play.
Rumor has it, again, from my VERY reliable source (I LOVE having a realiable source), that after the Union's Executive Board voted to approve sending the agreement to the Membership, that they had a conference call with Herb and Colleen to give them the news. They were very happy - Herb had another Wild Turkey, and Colleen cried.
WNfan,
You're right. Relationships need to be rebuilt - on both sides. Some of you think that the Flight Attendants are the devil, and some Flight Attendants will have a hard time respecting the Inflight Management.
But this isn't the first hurdle either side has crossed, and it won't be the last.
Bottom line, we didn't have to go on Strike, we didn't get Locked out. We have an agreement that makes both SWA Management happy, and from what I gather, most of the Flight Attendants are very happy.
Bridges to build, you bet. But it's finally over. Time to move on.
wnfan37
I must state as a point of fact this. In the real world no matter how much one wishes to maintain relationships; the compensation issue will always come first! As long as one is working to provide for their and their families' needs; those issues are always going to be the most important ones! You can realistically expect nothing else!
And, likewise; some of us feel that our needs were placed secondary by other employee groups, as well! That's just the nature of that particular beast!
I have every belief that those who wish to be cordial and professional in their working relationships will continue to make this company a great success. Those who do not wish to do so, are only hurting all of us; and ultimately themselves!
To continued success!
I must state as a point of fact this. In the real world no matter how much one wishes to maintain relationships; the compensation issue will always come first! As long as one is working to provide for their and their families' needs; those issues are always going to be the most important ones! You can realistically expect nothing else!
And, likewise; some of us feel that our needs were placed secondary by other employee groups, as well! That's just the nature of that particular beast!
I have every belief that those who wish to be cordial and professional in their working relationships will continue to make this company a great success. Those who do not wish to do so, are only hurting all of us; and ultimately themselves!
To continued success!
jimntx
Veteran
Again, congratulations. I'm enjoying reading that some f/a unions actually know how to negotiate and companies that are willing to look at quality of life issues. It's a far cry from our situation at AA.
I'm really envious of the new TA, you guys.
I'm really envious of the new TA, you guys.
swagalleyhag,
Thanks for the clarification.
You are right: there needs to be a rebuilding of bridges now. I sincerely hope both sides are willing to work on that, because I do personally worry that Parker was made to look like the bad guy in all of this, and I'm hoping that the rift between him and the flight attendants can be mended. For the sake of this entire airline, I hope that can be overcome. Parker, after all, is our CEO, and the day will come when Herb is no longer with us. In other words, we can't always expect Herb to come to the rescue.
Hopefully, whatever secrets Herb and Colleen had for negotiating this contract, they're sharing with the next generation of company leaders.
Forgive me for worrying out loud. 😉
As for the SWA Flight Attendants, they have my undying admiration for maintaining their professionalism before our customers. Never once did I see one of our flight attendants mistreat a customer, using the contract negotiations as an excuse. When I flew on that jumpseat, I saw the same great flight attendants I always have. Thank you for upholding that standard.
Thanks for the clarification.
You are right: there needs to be a rebuilding of bridges now. I sincerely hope both sides are willing to work on that, because I do personally worry that Parker was made to look like the bad guy in all of this, and I'm hoping that the rift between him and the flight attendants can be mended. For the sake of this entire airline, I hope that can be overcome. Parker, after all, is our CEO, and the day will come when Herb is no longer with us. In other words, we can't always expect Herb to come to the rescue.
Hopefully, whatever secrets Herb and Colleen had for negotiating this contract, they're sharing with the next generation of company leaders.
Forgive me for worrying out loud. 😉
As for the SWA Flight Attendants, they have my undying admiration for maintaining their professionalism before our customers. Never once did I see one of our flight attendants mistreat a customer, using the contract negotiations as an excuse. When I flew on that jumpseat, I saw the same great flight attendants I always have. Thank you for upholding that standard.
WNrforlife
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Oh I work here baby, I'm a 4-digit dinosaur, and I'm happy. I'm especially happy that I won't have to hear F/A's constantly whine to me how bad they have it day after day.swagalleyhag said:
😉
wwtraveler99
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"Thom didn't "give in". If he had, we..... .....wouldn't have paid training"
First let me say I am glad you all finally have a T/A. Now my question.
Why would you or anyone who has the job care if the NEW f/as get paid for thier training? For me personl\ally I would not. They know what they are getting into so if they didn't like it then they would not HAVE to take the job.
I can't wait to say if the info posted here is correct or not. I hope so and if it is you guys did very well.
First let me say I am glad you all finally have a T/A. Now my question.
Why would you or anyone who has the job care if the NEW f/as get paid for thier training? For me personl\ally I would not. They know what they are getting into so if they didn't like it then they would not HAVE to take the job.
I can't wait to say if the info posted here is correct or not. I hope so and if it is you guys did very well.
swagalleyhag
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The Union doesn't have the electronic file yet for the actual contract language, but their highlight packet is ready with tons of information including the Union's gain's and concessions (very few of those and mostly non-consequential from my point of view).
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
JAMAKE1
Veteran
I have enjoyed visiting the Southwest boards over the past several months and reading about negotiations as well as the perspectives of Southwest flight attendants. I want to convey my heart-felt congratulations on your hard fought new tentative agreement. It is refreshing to see contractual gains being made in this otherwise concessionary environment. Congratulations. You guys deserve it.
All the best,
JAMAKE
All the best,
JAMAKE
bluesideup
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You know the funny thing is when I was monitoring the pilots side of the board when United gave the pilots their raise it also was industry leading and most every pilot was happy with the winfall, people all said "you really deserve it and thanks for raising the bar on the proffesion, etc."
It has typically been my understanding that a good contract is one where both sides come away as not thinking they got every thing they needed. But on this one the FA's are walking away with like most have said in this thread "Every thing we asked for" Something just doesn't seem to be right with that. It sounds like you are strangaling the golden goose of airline that trys to put its people before profit. I just hope in this case it doesn't end up like the United pilots wonderfull contract!
It has typically been my understanding that a good contract is one where both sides come away as not thinking they got every thing they needed. But on this one the FA's are walking away with like most have said in this thread "Every thing we asked for" Something just doesn't seem to be right with that. It sounds like you are strangaling the golden goose of airline that trys to put its people before profit. I just hope in this case it doesn't end up like the United pilots wonderfull contract!
jimntx
Veteran
Herb Kelleher is a good guy, but he's no fool. If there was anything in the TA that jeopardized the financial health of Southwest Airlines, I doubt he would have agreed to it. Maybe it's an indication that the flight attendant goals in the new contract were neither unreasonable nor unaffordable.
Au contraire -- a strike would severely impact Southwest's financial health in the short term.jimntx said:
This may not be a great example, but remember the USAirways flight attendant negotiations in early 2000? W&G demanded parity plus 1%, no exceptions, no negotiations, that is what you will sign. They caved because they were too chicken to lock out the flight attendants.
WNrforlife
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