Topline
Pilots at United Airlines ratified a new four-year contract Friday, joining pilots at Delta and American airlines who ratified new contracts earlier this year, as the push from unions across industries in America to give workers higher pay and more protections continues to see success.
Key Facts
The Air Line Pilots Association, the union representing the pilots, said 82% of United Airlines pilots voted in favor of a new four-year contract that includes pay raises, vacation improvements and increased retirement benefits.
The new contract adds more than $10 billion to the value of the existing contract, the ALPA said.
Over the summer, the union said the deal would raise pay for pilots up to 40% over four years.
The contract will remain in effect until September 30, 2027.
Big Number
16,000. That’s how many United pilots will get a new contract under Friday’s agreement.
What To Watch For
Pilots at Southwest Airlines, who are represented by a different union than American, Delta and United, are still in negotiations for a new pilots’ contract.
Key Background
In the past year airline pilots have put pressure on their employers to better compensate pilots, after the pandemic caused a pilot shortage. In August, American Airlines’ pilots approved a new contract giving more than 15,000 pilots immediate 21% raises and total compensation increases of more than 46% over the course of the four-year contract. The union also said pilots would be given 401(k) contributions and improvements in scheduling. In March, pilots at Delta reached a similar agreement with their airline. The ALPA said that agreement included a 34% increase in pay raises over the life of the contract, as well as improvements to the benefits and vacation plans the airline offered its 15,000 pilots.
Tangent
Similarly to the pilots at Untied, union autoworkers at the Big Three automakers–Stellantis, Ford and General Motors–were also negotiating for a 40% pay increase over four years. On Thursday, Bloomberg reported the United Auto Workers union is now targeting at least a 30% pay increase for its workers as the strike enters its third week.
Further Reading
American Airlines Pilots Ratify Contract Offering Big Raises (New York Times)