Dallas-based Southwest Airlines announced on Friday that new agreements were reached with two of its union-represented workgroups. A new contract was approved for the airline's flight instructors, and a tentative agreement was reached for its facilities maintenance technicians.

While the airline said the agreements would support its operation and commitment to customer service, the news comes during the aftermath of the airline's holiday meltdown in which nearly 17,000 flights between December 21st and 31st were canceled. The low-cost carrier is reportedly set to face a hearing on the event, according to the United States Senate Commerce Committee.

A new agreement with incentives

The carrier's flight instructors, represented by the Transport Workers Union Local 557, were met with a tentative agreement last month. Southwest's Vice President of Labor Relations, Adam Carlisle, said the new contract would offer the flight instructors a better quality of life.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement that will offer significant quality of life improvements for our Flight Instructors while also reflecting the operational needs of the business." Adam Carlisle, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Labor Relations

The carrier has more than 200 flight instructors that provide classroom instruction for flight operations and simulator training to current and new-hire pilots. With an overwhelming majority voting in favor of their new contract, Carlisle mentioned Friday that instructors would be getting a pay bump.

"I'm very pleased we're able to acknowledge the important work of our Flight Instructors and implement pay increases and quality of life enhancements," said Carlisle. "I'd like to thank both Negotiating Teams for working to reach this agreement in such a short amount of time."

Tentative contract for technicians

Southwest and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union representing the airline's facilities maintenance technicians, reached a tentative agreement. Carlisle said the workers play an essential role in the airline's operations and focus on customer service.

AMFA National President, Bret Oestreich, said the agreement is warranted.

"The AMFA Negotiating Committee wants to express our appreciation to the Southwest Facilities Maintenance Technicians that participated in the bargaining process. This agreement is warranted after these Employees helped safely maintain Southwest's facilities across the country before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the membership's voice will be heard in a ratification vote in the coming weeks." Bret Oestreich, AMFA National President

The airline's 50 facilities maintenance technicians help maintain, modify, and repair all of its facilities system-wide. Southwest said the technician's work allows the carrier to provide a great product to customers and employees.

The AMFA will communicate the tentative agreement details and the ratification process to its members. In the meantime, Oestreich thanked the people that made the tentative agreement possible.

"The Committee would like to thank the negotiators from both sides of the table for their professionalism, which produced a Tentative Agreement less than six months from the time we held the first bargaining session," said Oestreich. "AMFA is proud to advocate and take care of our skilled members."

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The aftermath of the storm

Southwest continues to deal with repercussions after a swarth of flight cancellations during the holiday season. The nightmare, which left thousands of passengers displaced in airports without their bags, has put the airline in the position to be scrutinized by the US Senate.

Earlier this week, several senators sent a letter to Southwest's CEO pushing for answers about the string of cancellations, according to CNBC. The airline's CEO, Bob Jordan, reportedly has less than a month to respond to the senate with an explanation.

Source: CNBC