OREANDA-NEWS. Tuesday, December 16, TWU 555 (representing Southwest Airlines' Ramp, Operations, Provisioning, and Cargo Agents), launched a press release, media blitz, and organized picketing campaign in various locations across the network. Informational picketing is a common practice during negotiations and such action has not impacted our operations. We have always supported our Employees and their right to express their opinions. Furthermore, we share the Union's sense of urgency to secure an agreement that is fair to all Employees, enables the Company to grow, and protects our position as a low-cost leader in the industry.

Ramp, Operations, Provisioning, and Cargo Agents at Southwest have the highest pay rates in the industry. Agents with less than 12 years seniority continue to receive guaranteed annual raises. Our top-of-scale Agents have not only kept pace with the cost of living, but they continue to earn eight to 45 percent more than their counterparts at other airlines. From 2000 until now, during which time our competitors slashed pay and benefits, our base rates for our Employees have increased more than 37 percent.

We've made multiple offers to TWU 555 that have gone unaccepted or ignored. Our proposals would put more money in Employees' pockets immediately, improving individual compensation by thousands of dollars per year. In exchange for increased compensation, the Company is seeking more operational flexibility in a manner that safeguards Employees from negative impacts in a competitive industry – helping preserve and add more jobs in the future.