Southwest Airlines announced plans to lay off 1,750 employees earlier this week. Here’s what we know about the jobs affected.
DALLAS — After Dallas-based Southwest Airlines announced earlier this week that it was laying off 1,750 employees for the first time in its 53-year history, more details are emerging about the jobs affected.
The airline filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice with the Texas Workforce Commission that states 626 employees will be laid off at its Dallas headquarters and a maintenance facility in the 2800 block of Shorecrest Drive.
The layoffs are expected to commence April 22 and affected employees will be eligible for a severance package after that if they sign and submit a separation agreement, according to the notice.
“This action is expected to be permanent and will not result in closure of any facility,” the letter reads. “Affected employees will not have the right to bump or displace other Southwest employees.”
Among those affected include 22 senior technology analysts, 19 senior technology project managers, 10 technology analysts, some quality assurance auditors and specialists, and more, according to the WARN notice.
Southwest Airlines on Monday announced that it was laying off 1,750 employees “focused almost entirely on corporate overhead and leadership positions” representing about 15% of corporate jobs. It’s unclear where the rest of the jobs not listed on the WARN notice will come from.
Southwest said the move is expected to save the company $300 million annually.
“This is a very difficult and monumental shift, and I arrived at this decision after careful and thorough reflection, knowing how hard it will be to say goodbye to Cohearts who have been a significant part of our Culture and our accomplishments,” Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement. “We are dedicated to operating safely and reliably for our Customers every single day. The fundamental objective of Leadership and Noncontract roles is to support our Frontline Employees as efficiently and effectively as possible. With the best intentions, the growth of our Leadership and Noncontract functions have outpaced our operation’s growth for many years. Now, this group must become more lean, efficient, and agile to better serve our Frontline Employees in our shared mission of serving our Customers.”
