94% of Voting Body Declines Agreement Written Earlier in Year, Hoping for Better Terms

United Airlines pilots saw record turnout in voting on the company’s tentative agreement, with 94% of the 9,980 pilots voting against the proposal.

The agreement as written was developed last summer, evidently leaving much to be desired in such a quickly shifting economy. The ALPA described the offered deal as “short of the industry-leading contract United pilots have earned and deserve after leading the airline through the pandemic and back to profitability.” 

“I want to thank the United pilots for their outstanding participation at this important moment in our history,” said United Master Executive Council chair Capt. Mike Hamilton. “By the Company’s own admission, this agreement missed the mark. That’s why both parties agreed to reengage at the bargaining table for a new, improved agreement. It is vital United management recognizes that an industry-leading contract is required to hire, train, and retain the best pilots in the world for the United Next growth plan to succeed.”

Everyone seems to be feeling the squeeze of increasing inflation and rising costs, but those involved in the United ALPA group say that United’s place in the American travel pantheon should push them to offer industry-leading terms to its pilots. To help bring management’s attention to the issue, the group said they will “immediately begin a series of informational picketing events to bring the company back to the bargaining table to finalize an agreement,” hopefully one that will “fully recognize their contributions to the success of the airline.”

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