Airlines Strategy
United Airlines Flight Attendants Approve 31% Raise in New Contract
United Airlines flight attendants ratify a five-year contract with a 31% pay increase and boarding pay, marking first raises in nearly six years.
This article summarizes reporting by CNBC and Leslie Josephs.
United Airlines flight attendants have officially ratified a new five-year labor agreement, securing their first pay increases in nearly six years. The milestone deal brings substantial wage hikes and structural pay changes to the carrier’s cabin crew workforce just ahead of the busy summer travel season.
According to reporting by CNBC, the newly ratified contract delivers a 31% raise for flight attendants. The agreement resolves a protracted negotiation process between the airline and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), the union representing the workers.
Contract Details and Compensation
Base Pay and Boarding Compensation
The centerpiece of the five-year contract is the significant boost to base compensation. CNBC reports that the agreement bumps up base pay by nearly a third. In addition to the 31% wage increase, the contract introduces boarding pay, a highly sought-after provision that compensates flight attendants for their time during the boarding process, which was previously unpaid at many major carriers.
According to labor reports from WNY Labor Today, top pay for United flight attendants will reach $100 an hour by the end of the contract’s term. The deal also reportedly includes a substantial signing bonus pool distributed among the crew members.
A Long Road to Ratification
Previous Rejections and Negotiations
The ratification marks the end of a lengthy and sometimes contentious bargaining period. The flight attendants’ previous contract became amendable in August 2021, leaving the workforce without a pay increase throughout the post-pandemic recovery period.
According to earlier reports from WNY Labor Today, United flight attendants rejected a previous tentative agreement last July that would have provided immediate 26% raises. By holding out, the union secured the higher 31% figure and additional quality-of-life improvements.
“United Airlines flight attendants ratify labor deal that would provide first raises in nearly 6 years,” reported CNBC.
AirPro News analysis
We view the ratification of this contract at United Airlines as a continuation of a broader trend across the U.S. aviation industry, where organized labor has successfully leveraged post-pandemic travel demand to secure historic wage increases. While the 31% raise and the addition of boarding pay represent a major victory for the AFA-CWA, these improved compensation packages will also increase United’s structural operating costs. Airlines are increasingly forced to balance these rising labor expenses against fluctuating airfares and premium cabin expansions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of a raise will United flight attendants receive?
Under the newly ratified contract, flight attendants will receive a 31% raise over the life of the five-year agreement.
Does the new contract include boarding pay?
Yes. According to CNBC, the new labor deal includes compensation for flight attendants during the boarding process.
Who represents United Airlines flight attendants?
The flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA).
Sources
Photo Credit: United Airlines