United pilots ratify 4-year contract, latest major post-merger union deal

UNITED AIRLINES has announced that pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), have ratified a new joint labour contract.

"The ratification of this agreement is an important step forward for our pilots and the company," said United vice president Fred Abbott. "We look forward to the efficiencies and teamwork we will achieve as our pilots become one group once they complete their seniority integration."

The agreement runs through December 2016 and covers nearly 10,000 United pilots.

"I want to thank both negotiating teams and the National Mediation Board for their efforts in reaching this agreement that provides both improvements for our pilots and increased competitiveness for United," said United human resources vice president Mike Bonds. "We are making good progress working together with our remaining employee groups to reach joint agreements to become a fully combined workforce."

Since merging with Continental, United has made significant progress in bringing together work groups, said a company statement, adding that it has reached several agreements including a combined agreement for pilots, agreements with flight attendants from the United, Continental and CMI subsidiaries, and agreements with technicians from the United, Continental and CMI subsidiaries.

United Airlines and United Express operate 5,557 flights a day to 378 airports on six continents from hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, DC.