United Airlines Pilots Reach Deal for 40% Pay Raise and Improved Benefits
New York, CNN – United Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), have reached a deal in principle with the airline that will give them a significant raise. The union confirmed to CNN on Saturday that the pilots will receive up to a 40% increase in their salaries.
According to the union, the deal is worth approximately $10 billion over the course of the contract. The agreement includes improvements in various areas such as the pilots’ quality of work-life, compensation, job security, work rules, retirement, and benefits.
This deal marks the end of a long-term stalemate between the pilots and United management. Negotiations have been ongoing for over four years, and this agreement finally brings a resolution to the dispute.
The demand for improved benefits is not unique to United Airlines pilots. As the post-pandemic travel boom gains momentum, pilot union groups across different airlines are also pushing for better terms. Delta pilots, for example, approved a contract in March that included a 34% pay increase. American Airlines pilots are also set to vote on a new contract.
The new United Airlines deal will see cumulative pay increases ranging from 34.5% to 40.2%, depending on the type of aircraft flown by each pilot, according to the union.
In a statement, United Airlines expressed its satisfaction with the agreement. The airline said, “We promised our world-class pilots the industry-leading contract they deserve, and we’re pleased to have reached an agreement with ALPA on it. The four-year agreement, once ratified, will deliver a meaningful pay raise and quality of life improvements for our pilots while putting the airline on track to achieve the incredible potential of our United Next strategy.”
Before the deal becomes official, it must be ratified by the 16,000 member pilots. Once negotiators finalize the language of the agreement, the ratification process will begin.
The agreement between United Airlines and its pilots is a positive development for both parties. The pilots will receive a significant raise and improved benefits, while the airline can now focus on implementing its growth strategy, fueled by the increasing demand for air travel as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.