Southwest Air Mechanics Ratify Deal After Six Years of Talks (1)

Southwest Airlines Co. mechanics approved a new contract that provides pay increases and a retroactive bonus, closing out more than six years of negotiations that included a lawsuit and an alleged worker slowdown.

The five-year agreement won 95% support from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, the union said May 21. About 94% of eligible voters participated.

The approval removes uncertainty for the airline over costs, and ends the threat of further flight disruptions less than three months after Southwest sued the union for deliberately slowing operations. The 2,700 mechanics are the last of Southwest’s largest labor groups to secure a ...