United Airlines and pilots union to renegotiate contract after latest deal faces opposition

United Airlines and its pilots union are back at the negotiating table for a new contract, which is a setback for the carrier after it was the first to reach a tentative agreement since the start of the pandemic.

The Amalgamated Chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association admitted on Wednesday that the current agreement has “fallen short” of some pilots’ expectations.

The preliminary agreement, which included a 14% increase over 18 months, was first made public on June 24. Voting of ordinary pilots was supposed to end this Friday.

“Management has agreed to reopen discussions to remove unwanted elements and work with us to reach a new, improved agreement,” said Capt. Mike Hamilton, chairman of ALPA’s United Master Executive Council.

The delay could cause a stir among other airlines and their pilot unions, who often compare contracts with other carriers. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines are among the US carriers currently negotiating a contract with pilots’ unions.

The vote could be delayed for up to three months to allow negotiations to continue, and the union will poll its members on how to improve the agreement, it said.

United declined to comment.