Around 9,381 pilots at United Airlines have voted to reject a tentative pay deal that was originally announced in June and that, at the time, the pilot’s union had enthusiastically described as raising “the bar for all airline pilots” and leading the industry forward.
The United master council of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) quickly abandoned advocacy and outreach work to convince its members to back the contract after it became clear that members weren’t happy with the deal and were likely to reject it.
The union went back to the negotiating table with United in July but since then very little progress has been made according to Captain Mike Hamilton who is chair of the United master council at ALPA.
“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,” Captain Hamilton explained on Tuesday after the ballot result was announced.
A record 9,980 pilots took part in the ballot, and 94 per cent of those voted to reject the deal. The ballot was largely symbolic, and the result demonstrates the strength of feelings among pilots to the airline.
“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,” Captain Hamilton continued.
United was the first airline to reach a tentative agreement amongst a number of U.S. airlines that are renegotiating collective agreements with their pilot workgroups.
The big ticket item of the deal was a 14.5 percent pay increase within the next 18 months, as well as enhanced overtime compensation and premium pay. There were also a number of other “quality of life improvements” and other elements including disability benefits and scheduling improvements.
Disquiet first emerged after it was revealed that American Airlines was proposing a 16.9 percent pay rise for its pilots – albeit from a lower starting point.
Since then there has been a scramble from some airlines to offer their pilots big pay raises amidst a global pilot shortage.
The ALPA union claims United management has now adopted a “wait-and-see approach” and as a result negotiations aren’t progressing. Alongside the symbolic ballot, pilots will also start picketing airports in order to increase the pressure on the airline to get back to the negotiating table.
Last month, Alaska Airlines finally secured a new contract for its pilots while flight crew at Delta have just overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing strike action as a day dispute with the airline continues to drag on.
