United Has Warned of Extensive Cutbacks

Citing their concerns over recent announcements by United Airlines, the United Airlines Master Executive Council is pushing the government to move forward with plans to extend financial programs to keep the airline industry flying.

The MEC noted that this recent warning, "...from the Company that 2,850 pilots will receive official furlough notices is devastating news for these pilots and their families. Due to the expiration of the CARES Act payroll protections, the first 1,747 pilot furloughs will occur on October 1, with an additional 572 furloughs slated for October 30, and 531 on November 30. While other airlines have chosen to reduce manpower through voluntary means, it is tragic that United has limited those options for our pilots and instead has chosen to furlough more pilots than ever before in our history."

The MEC adds that, "Since the onset of this crisis, when the coronavirus pandemic began to decimate our industry, the United MEC has reached agreement on voluntary furlough mitigations and helped champion the vital government aid that gave us a lifeline until now. Our ongoing efforts on Capitol Hill, and with management, have never let up and are made more urgent with today's announcement.

While we work to further delay and minimize these planned furloughs, our commitment to support all affected pilots is unwavering. In addition to covering their health insurance premiums, dedicated MEC furlough coordinators will provide full-time support and resources from the Air Line Pilots Association."

While there is barely a month left before the deadline imposed by United, the MEC promises to be prepared... "We will continue to explore further mitigation options and will not forget the lessons learned during past downturns. As we stand shoulder to shoulder with every pilot being threatened with furlough, the United MEC remains unified in the fight to protect the airline pilot career and defend the United Pilot Agreement."

More info as it becomes available...

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.united.com