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Southwest Flight Attendants Narrowly Approve New Contract

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DALLAS (AP) - Flight attendants at Southwest Airlines have narrowly ratified a new contract, with about 54 percent of those voting favoring the deal, which includes a signing bonus and pay raises.

The company and the flight attendants union said Monday that the contract includes pay raises of 6 percent immediately, 3 percent in 2017 and 3 percent in 2018, and a signing bonus of 15.9 percent.

Last year, 87 percent of Southwest flight attendants voted to reject a company contract offer.

Unions across the industry have been pushing for pay raises as airlines post record profits. Southwest pilots are currently voting through Nov. 7 on a contract offer, and the airline's mechanics are in negotiations with the Dallas-based company.

Shares of Southwest Airlines Co. rose 87 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $40.05.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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