Members of the SWA AT SLI integration committees met in Dallas on April 24 and 25. Present at the meetings were Local 104 Business Agent Joe Rhein; Terry DeVault, MDW; Gregg Vandagriff, PHX; Roger Baur, HOU; Brian Whitman, TPA; Kevin Givens, HOU; Kevin Morris, DAL; Richard Moye, ATL; Nathan Byrd, ATL; Bill Druback, MCO AT; Gary Loffert, ATL; Local 528 Business Agent Johnny Edwards; Alvin Bray, ATL; Local 769 Business Agent Daisy Gonzalez-Colli; International Representative Chris Moore; and Attorney Joshua McInerney.

On April 23, the AirTran mechanics and related employees reached a tentative agreement on seniority integration with Southwest mechanics and related employees. In addition, the AirTran mechanics reached a tentative agreement with Southwest on transitioning to their mechanics’ collective bargaining agreement. These agreements are set to go out for ratification on May 21 and votes will be counted on June 21.

AMFA representatives recently visited the Atlanta and Orlando stations. We understand that these visits have stirred concerns regarding the seniority integration of the IBT-represented AirTran technicians and Southwest technicians.

May 10, 2011, representatives of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters met with the National Mediation Board (NMB) to discuss the merger between Southwest Airlines and AirTran.

In September of 2010, Southwest Airlines announced it would purchased AirTran Holdings for $1.4 billion. This memo is to update teacher mechanics at AirTran, as well as mechanics at Southwest, about the effects of the merger on their employment and representation. As events unfold, we will continue to provide timely updates.