Southwest Airlines to Offer Mechanics 20 Percent Pay Increase

It's no secret that Southwest Airlines has had a contentious relationship with their mechanics.

The union and the airline have exchanged lawsuits for six years, but they've finally reached an agreement.

On Saturday, Southwest Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) agreed to a five-year accord that would give the mechanics $160 million in retroactive pay, which will be translated into an immediate 20 percent pay raise starting on April 1st. They'll also receive a three percent annual increase each August.

This proposal is an improvement from the one the union members rejected in September. Southwest Airlines also secured something for themselves: work rule changes that will make the airline more efficient.

The airline and the union have a bit to go before everything is settled. The agreement has to be put into contract language and sent to AMFA union members for a vote.

It seems this mutual agreement came after aviation regulators like the Federal Aviation Administration urged the union and the carrier to come to some sort of agreement so that travelers aren't at risk in terms of safety.

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