Southwest Seeks Help in Contract Talks

Southwest Airlines Co. asked the National Mediation Board to help the company reach a contract with its flight attendants after 16 months of talks.

Concluding an agreement with Transport Workers Union Local 556, which represents the 7,200 attendants, no longer appears possible “without outside assistance,” Chief Executive James Parker said.

The airline said it expected a mediator to set a schedule and ground rules for future sessions. Southwest spokeswoman Ginger Hardage declined to comment on specifics of the talks. Thom McDaniel, president of the union local, said a key issue was getting paid for holidays and for time spent performing such tasks as cleaning aircraft or waiting during flight delays.

Shares of Dallas-based Southwest closed up 48 cents to $18 on the New York Stock Exchange.