United, flight attendants reach agreement

PRNewswire

CHICAGO — United Continental Holdings said it has reached a contract agreement with the union representing United’s flight attendants.

The United Master Executive Council of the Association of Flight Attendants told the Chicago-based airline it had approved a tentative agreement and is recommending the tentative agreement to United flight attendants for their consideration and ratification.

The agreement is the result of an expedited mediation process that began last September. The agreement provides for numerous improvements, including increased wages and a signing bonus for United flight attendants.

The tentative agreement covers more than 15,000 flight attendants at the company’s United Airlines subsidiary located throughout the United States and several international bases and is subject to ratification by United Airlines flight attendants. Continental flight attendants ratified their collective bargaining agreement in February 2011.

“I am pleased that we were able to reach this agreement following an intense mediation process. We appreciate the hard work of both negotiating teams in reaching an agreement that is fair to United flight attendants and fair to the company, and recognizes the great work by our flight attendants,” said Sam Risoli, senior vice president of in-flight services for United. “We look forward to the ratification of this agreement, which will be promptly followed by negotiations for a joint agreement that will fully integrate all of our flight attendants under a single contract.”

The AFA represents more than 24,000 flight attendants at the company’s United and Continental subsidiaries.