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Activist Elliott tells Southwest Air mechanics it still wants CEO's ouster, memo says

Activist financier Elliott Investment Management told among Southwest Airlines' leading unions it still wishes to replace CEO Robert Jordan, according to a union memo seen , even after the provider promised to shake up its board.

Elliott, which owns 10% of Southwest's typical shares, met with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association on Sept. 12, the memo to members said. The union represents about 3,000 mechanics at the Dallas-based airline.

Its vision of a Southwest turn-around is one where Robert Jordan does not stay as CEO, the memo said. The union likewise stated the hedge fund desires Gary Kelly, who is executive chairman, to leave faster than his scheduled departure date.

The meeting happened two days after Southwest said 6 directors would step down in November and Kelly would retire next year, but that it stayed committed to Jordan. The board revamp was revealed after the carrier and hedge fund met last week.

The hedge fund now owns adequate Southwest stock to call a. unique conference and take the next actions to shake up the board. and management. In August, Elliott determined 10 director. candidates it might nominate to the 15-member board.

Other Southwest financiers have met with Elliott and a few of. the hedge fund's director candidates in the last couple of days. At. these conferences, the hedge fund underscored its desire to change. Jordan and get an earlier departure for Kelly, a financier. knowledgeable about the conferences stated. Jordan prospered Kelly as CEO. in 2022.

Elliott has pressed hard for the replacement of Jordan and. Kelly, blaming them for the airline's struggles. It wants the. carrier to be more competitive in the market and has actually been. convening with unions to enhance support for its campaign.

In the conference with the mechanics union, the hedge fund. insisted that Jordan be changed, the memo said. It likewise. advocated the departure of other magnates, it included.

Elliott declined to comment. Recently, it called the. planned board modifications unmatched and praised the board for. starting to acknowledge the degree of modification that will be. required at Southwest.

Southwest did not instantly react to an ask for. comments.

The airline company last week said it would select four brand-new. independent directors in the future and would possibly. consist of up to 3 candidates proposed by Elliott.

Nevertheless, the business expressed confidence in Jordan, saying. there was no much better leader to successfully perform its. method to progress the airline company and boost sustainable. investor worth.

Southwest has actually been struggling to discover its footing after the. pandemic, in part due to Boeing's aircraft delivery. hold-ups and industrywide overcapacity in the domestic market.

It prepares to offer designated and extra-legroom seats to. draw in premium travelers, and begin overnight flights. It will. present details to financiers on Sept. 26.

The mechanics union stated Elliott noted the proposed board. overhaul was not part of a worked out offer however rather announced. by the airline and presented to the hedge fund.

Jordan informed personnel recently that the Sept. 9 conference with. the hedge fund was efficient. He said the company looked. forward to continuing to work with Elliott toward a. collective resolution in the near future.

Southwest has an excellent strategy, Jordan stated, adding the board. and business governance modifications would assist the business return. to the high level of financial efficiency that we - and our. shareholders - expect.

The mechanics union said Elliott has actually hired consulting firm. Gephardt Group to examine Southwest's current technique to. labor relations.

Southwest has actually also been trying to rally its workers and. financiers.

(source: Reuters)