N E W S  R E L E A S E
For immediate release January 31, 2012

Southwest and AirTran Flight Attendants
Approve Seniority Integration Agreements

Airline Acquisition Moves Ahead With Job Security for Employees and a Combined Workforce to be Represented by TWU

Dallas -- Flight attendants at Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways have voted to approve a new agreement that will allow the integration of seniority lists of the two workforces as Southwest moves ahead with its plans to merge AirTran into its operations.

A majority of employees in both work groups, voting separately, approved the agreement, in voting which concluded today.   Southwest flight attendants, represented by Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556, approved the agreement with 66 percent voting in favor. AirTran flight attendants, represented by Council 57 of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), with 94 percent voting in favor.

“This is great news for our flight attendants at both airlines and for the passengers who will fly on the new expanded Southwest Airlines,” said Thom McDaniel, president of TWU Local 556. “At Southwest Airlines, we understand the value of working together and finding common solutions.  This agreement with AFA is a great example of continuing that tradition as we move forward for the continued success of our company and the culture that we’ve built at Southwest.”

“Our flight attendants are ready to put this important milestone behind us”, said Alison Head, president of AFA Council 57.  “Airline mergers are historically difficult, yet thousands of flight attendants at both airlines have once again shown that together we can continue to make history in this turbulent industry.  Through this vote, AirTran and Southwest flight attendants have stated they are ready to move forward toward one exciting future”.

Once Southwest fully absorbs AirTran, all flight attendants at the combined carrier will be represented by TWU Local 556.

TWU Local 556 Communications