Southwest Airlines pilots nix proposed contract

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines unionized pilots have rejected a proposed four-year labor contract.

The Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association announced Wednesday that about 62% of those voting rejected the measure, with 38% in favor.

A union statement says the proposal, reached in September, included some higher pay and work improvements but was not acceptable to Southwest pilots. The association represents about 8,000 pilots.

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Leaders of the Dallas-based carrier and the union say they expect to return to mediated negotiations in the spring.

Southwest pilots will continue working under their existing contract until a new agreement is reached.

The company and union negotiators have been in contract talks for more than three years and began mediated talks last November.