Southwest attendants: We have no interest in obstructing order for bigger jets

[DieselDragRacer]

By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

The flight attendants' union at Southwest Airlines has no interest in obstructing the carrier's possible decision to add larger jets to its fleet.
That's according to union president Thom McDaniel, responding to an opinion piece that suggested the union may look to take a tough negotiating stance if Southwest opts to add the Boeing 737-800 to its fleet. The column that was critical of the union also was cited here in the Today in the Sky blog.

If Southwest moves ahead with plans for Boeing's 737-800 model aircraft, it would become the largest version of the jet in Southwest's all-Boeing 737 fleet.

But McDaniel emphatically denies the column's assertion that the union is looking to exploit the possibility of Southwest buying larger jets. The column in question cited a union letter that said "it will be necessary to negotiate new rates of pay, rules, and working conditions."

To that topic, McDaniel tells Today in the Sky that "our labor agreement requires that if we acquire any aircraft in addition to the 737-300, 500, 600, or 700 or implement meal or international service, our contract will be reopened to negotiate rates of pay, rules and working conditions."
He adds to Today in the Sky that "we are very excited at the opportunity for Southwest Airlines to acquire 737-800 series aircraft."

In fact, McDaniel says that the union -- along with its pilot counterparts -- "have mutually agreed [with management] to bypass the 60 days required by our contracts to reopen in an effort to come to agreement and have it ratified within the required time frame" it would take to meet a Dec. 1 deadline Southwest faces to finalize a possible 737-800 order with Boeing.

Despite the column's assertion that the attendants may balk at the larger capacity of the 737-800 without concessions, McDaniel tells Today in the Sky "it is our hope to focus only on the contractual issues related to the [airline's current] 737-700 aircraft to simplify our negotiations. We have already held meeting regarding the configuration of the new aircraft, exchanged ideas about what needs to be opened and scheduled an aggressive negotiating schedule to complete the bargaining as quickly as possible for our members to vote on an agreement."

McDaniel tells Today in the Sky that attendants are eager to work with management on the subject.

"Let me emphasize, we believe that acquiring the 737-800 series aircraft is a great opportunity for the members of TWU Local 556, our co-workers, and our customers to expand our company and a chance to grow the Southwest brand," McDaniel tells Today in the Sky. "We are working very hard to fulfill the contractual requirements and to reach an agreement that will make this opportunity a reality."

 

[Raoul Duke]

In other words "sure we will be happy to add the aircraft, if you agree to . . ."

 

[Whataburger]

Isn't 3 fa's serving 137 pax about the same amout of work as 4 fa's serving 170 pax?

 

[Ty Webb]

This may be a situation where management gets to reap the benefits of maintaining good relations with their employees . . . . looks like it won't take long to find out.

 

[waka]

Isn't 3 fa's serving 137 pax about the same amout of work as 4 fa's serving 170 pax?

Technically, it is less work.

137/3 = 45.6 pax per FA

170/4 = 42.5 pax per FA

 

[XR650R]

Technically, it is less work.

137/3 = 45.6 pax per FA

170/4 = 42.5 pax per FA

So they should get paid less.

 

[Daddy]

Holy ******************** that is one large human

 

[Junkflyer]

He is not obese, just dimensionally challenged.

 

[IAHERJ]

Is this rocket science for you guys? It's not like SWA is getting 777's or something. You don't even serve real food on the plane. What does it take to fly a 737 with a few more seats on it? Throw another FA on the thing and go. I'm not understanding the FA union's perceived power over this deal. Add more cans of coke and beer and another 2 arms to pass them out and you've got a flight ready to go.

 

[Raoul Duke]

exactly - if anything the Company should be demanding a height and weight requirement in exchange for letting another FA on the aircraft.