International President James C. Little welcomed TWU’s newest members, the Flight Dispatchers at Soutwest Airlines, to the TWU family this month at a Local Charter presentation ceremony in Dallas.

The SWA Dispatchers, formerly part of an independent association (Southwest Airlines Employees Association), voted overwhelmingly to join TWU.

TWU represents more than half of Southwest’s employees under the banner of three Local unions, including Flight Attendants (Local 556), ramp, operations and provisioning (Local 555) and now Disptachers (Local 550).

“TWU offered the right combination of resources and support,” said Mike Connor, first president of the new Local 550.

“We joined because the Transport Workers represent the majority of dispatchers in the industry and majority of employees at Southwest Airlines. BothTWU locals at Southwestoffered solid support in our quest to give our members the best contract and representation they deserve as leaders in the industry.”