Southwest Airlines settles dispute over fired mechanic’s backpay

Southwest Airlines Co. has resolved an issue over $25,000 in backpay for an employee who was fired, then reinstated.Dallas-based Southwest (NYSE: LUV) fired Dallas mechanic Ken Hackett about a year ago and accused him of helping to organize a boycott of overtime assignments. An arbitrator in December ordered the airline to reinstate Hackett with back pay, but allowed the company to subtract any income he earned from other sources.Hackett’s co-workers in the union that represents Southwest