Teamsters Flight Simulator Technicians Ratify New Contract with Southwest Airlines

Union Wins Industry-Leading Contract at Carrier, Secures Big Gains on Pay and Benefits

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Photo: Flight Simulator Technician represented by Teamsters Local 19

(DALLAS) – Teamsters Local 19, representing 54 flight simulator technicians, have voted by 66 percent to ratify a four-year contract with Southwest Airlines. The new contract, negotiated with rank-and-file Teamsters, includes a 23 percent wage increase, a reduction in years needed to reach the top pay scale from 12 years to nine, improved retirement and maternity/paternity leave benefits, and significant ratification bonuses.

“I’m extremely proud of our members for securing this phenomenal four-year contract,” said Jesse Ruiz,

President of Local 19. “This game-changing agreement is a testament to the strength of the Teamsters’ power. We fought hard for our demands, and our unity allowed us to secure this amazing deal.”

In addition to major improvements in pay and benefits, Southwest Airlines Teamsters secured an engineering classification to their work group. This provision gives the technicians responsible for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the carrier’s flight simulators a faster track to higher base wages and assurances that engineers are hired from within the Teamsters before external options are considered. Protections for specialists, which previously were not included, were also added to the contract.

“From the industry-leading pay increase and benefits to safety and job security, this is the best deal this group has ever seen. It’s one of the best contracts in the aviation industry today,” said Arnold Villarreal, Local 19 Trustee. “This is a well-deserved victory for the dedicated Teamsters who make this airline safe and successful.” 

Teamsters Local 19 represents aviation workers throughout Texas. For more information, go to teamsterslocal19.org/.




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The Teamsters are America’s largest, most diverse union. In 1903, the Teamsters started as a merger of the two leading team driver associations. These drivers were the backbone of America’s robust economic growth, but they needed to organize to wrest their fair share from greedy corporations. Today, the union’s task is exactly the same. The Teamsters are known as the champion of freight drivers and warehouse workers, but have organized workers in virtually every occupation imaginable, both professional and non-professional, private sector and public sector. Our 1.3 million members are public defenders in Minnesota; vegetable workers in California; sanitation workers in New York; brewers in St. Louis; newspaper workers in Seattle; construction workers in Las Vegas; zoo keepers in Pennsylvania; health care workers in Rhode Island; bakery workers in Maine; airline pilots, secretaries and police officers. Name the occupation and chances are we represent those workers somewhere. There are nearly 1,900 Teamster affiliates throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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