United Airlines has reached a tentative labor agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing approximately 28,000 flight attendants. This milestone deal is being described by the union as “industry-leading” and comes after prolonged negotiations, including a vote last year authorizing a strike if progress was not made. The agreement marks the end of United’s negotiations with its flight attendant group, making it the last among the major U.S. carriers to settle a new contract with cabin crew in the post-pandemic era.
According to the union, the tentative agreement includes a substantial “40% of total economic improvements” within the first year of the deal. Additionally, the agreement features retroactive pay and a signing bonus. In a nod to growing concerns about work-life balance, the deal also addresses quality-of-life enhancements such as improvements in scheduling flexibility and reduced on-call requirements. While the union has not yet disclosed specific figures or detailed provisions, the agreement represents a notable shift for United’s flight attendants, who have not received a wage increase since 2020.
The tentative nature of the agreement means it must still undergo a ratification vote by the union membership. United Airlines confirmed that the final contract language is currently being drafted and will be subject to review and approval by the flight attendants. The voting process and timeline for ratification have yet to be announced.
Flight attendants at major airlines have been pushing for better pay and conditions for several years, especially after pilots and other employee groups successfully negotiated improved contracts during the industry’s recovery from the pandemic. The aviation labor landscape has seen increasing union activity as workers seek to align their compensation with the rising cost of living and the critical roles they play in airline operations.
This new agreement signals a major step forward for United’s cabin crew, reinforcing the importance of their role within the airline while addressing long-standing economic and scheduling concerns. Once finalized, the deal is expected to significantly impact morale and retention across United’s flight attendant workforce.
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