Dallas-based Southwest Airlines has come to a tentative contract deal with the union representing its 450 dispatchers that would give immediate 17% raises and scheduling improvements, a positive sign for the carrier after a rocky year of labor relations.
Southwest has now come to tentative deals with two major labor groups, including customer service workers, but is still working to get agreements with pilots and flight attendants.
The deal with dispatchers includes a group that mostly works in Southwest’s flight operations center in Dallas, directing and coordinating the carrier’s 700 aircraft and crews across the country.
