Flight attendants at Southwest Airlines are rejecting a contract their union negotiated with the airline

DALLAS– Southwest Airlines flight attendants have rejected a contract offer from the airline's negotiators and the union.

The Transport Workers Union Local 556 said Friday that the proposal was voted down 64% to 36%.

Local president Lyn Montgomery said the vote followed five years of negotiations during which flight crews have received no pay increases.

“We will return to the table to reach a collective bargaining agreement that meets the needs of the industry's hardest-working flight attendants,” she said in a statement.

Montgomery had previously said the offer would have given Southwest flight attendants industry-leading pay, 16% above crews at non-union Delta Air Lines.

Dallas-based Southwest said: “We are disappointed that the landmark agreement between the negotiating committees has not been ratified.” The airline said it would await next steps from the union and the National Mediation Board, which was involved in the negotiations.

Southwest is also negotiating with pilots, who have twice asked federal mediators for permission to begin a 30-day countdown to a strike but were denied both times.

Flight attendants at American Airlines and United Airlines, which are represented by different unions than those at Southwest, are also in discussions about new contracts.

Airline workers have said they have continued to work during the pandemic and are earning higher wages now that most airlines have returned to profitability. Pilots at American, United and Delta have secured about 40% pay increases in five years.