After rejecting the new contract put forth this summer, 5,900 pilots at Southwest Airlines, represented by the Southwest Airline's Pilots Association (SWAPA) have approved a new five-year agreement. The contract includes a pay increase, an 401K increase, and changes in scheduling. The contract also allows for only 4% codeshare by pilots, which they feel increases their job security. The original contract allowed 10%. Union spokespeople expressed satisfaction with the agreement, though they also claimed to be 'looking forward to' a chance to renegotiate compensation in 2011. The contract ratification comes at a crucial time, as Southwest agreed on terms with almost all other employee divisions earlier this year.
See "Southwest pilots approve five-year contract", Jonathan Heckman, Seattle Post Intelligencer, November 2, 2009