Southwest Flight Attendants set industry standard with new contract

Lyn Montgomery, Transport Workers Union of America International Executive Council Member who served as lead negotiator and President for TWU Local 556 for the Transport Workers Union of America Local 556, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new industry-leading contract ratified by flight attendants with Southwest Airlines.

The new contract will make Southwest Airlines flight attendants the highest-paid in America. Montgomery, now the former president of TWU Local 556, discussed several benefits flight attendants earned and how it, and several of the events during her tenure leading the union, impacted her personally. Not only did the members receive a 22 percent increase as of May 1, 2024, but they also became the first union flight attendants for a national American carrier to earn paid maternity leave. She talked about the hard work to get these benefits approved by the company, but it was necessary for the contract to be approved by members.

Montgomery said the six-year contract negotiations, which took a brief break at the beginning of the pandemic, were a challenge. She also talked about the previous contract offer that was voted on by members in October 2023. Montgomery talked about what made the flight attendants choose to turn down the offer and then ratify a strike authorization vote. After the failed agreement, several issues almost derailed the union's progress, but Montgomery said they were able to get the new contract approved through their hard work. 

In December 2022, Southwest Airlines had a software issue that led to over 16,700 flight cancellations, costing the airline more than $1 billion. This event started the conversation about updating the company's software from the over 20-year-old system they had previously used. Montgomery talked about these upgrades and how she and TWU 556 have led the push for a new system. Now that there’s a new contract in place, she said they are working with the company to fix their technology issues and create a more efficient and easier system for members and customers alike.

Hear more from Montgomery on Southwest Flight Attendant’s new record contract and how it was accomplished by listening to the show above.