Southwest Airlines flight attendants on Friday overwhelmingly rejected a new contract with the airline that would have ended two years of negotiations.
The Transport Workers Union Local 556, cited operational changes sought by Southwest to accommodate its growth as the reason why 87 percent of ballots were cast against the proposal. The deal would have also included an immediate 8% ratification bonus and 3% raise as well as other raises and bonuses over the life of the agreement, the union said.
Southwest officials said they were disappointed but committed to reaching a deal. The current contract remains in effect.
The union represents more than 13,000 Southwest flight attendants nationwide, including about 1,200 for whom Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is their home base. Nearly 89 percent of members voted.