A group of Southwest Airlines flight attendants is seeking to replace TWU Local 556 with a new independent organization called the Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Association. Organizers cite concerns over union transparency, dues, voting procedures, assessment fees and spending.
Local 556 leadership disputes claims about financial transparency, saying its finances are regularly reviewed and members received additional information during an August 26 meeting. The union says about 70% of dues remain with the local, while 30% goes to TWU International.
The effort comes as TWU International has assigned Gary Peterson to oversee Local 556 and review its finances. Under the Railway Labor Act, organizers would need support from at least 50% of eligible flight attendants through authorization cards before a National Mediation Board election could proceed.