by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:05 AM ET, Thu July 20, 2023
The union representing American Airlines’ pilots said the
tentative agreement on a new contract is in jeopardy after the recent deal
between United Airlines and its pilots exposed a stark difference in the details.
According to Reuters.com,
the Allied Pilots Association (APA) said the 42 percent pay increase and
improved benefits the pilots were expected to approve pales compared to the
deal announced by United and its pilots.
American’s pilots were expected to vote on the four-year contract
proposal next week, but APA officials are asking the airline to “further
improve the contract to meet the new industry standards” before pilots will agree
to ratify the deal.
A spokesperson for American said the carrier is working with
the APA and will look to “make sure its pilots are taken care of” during the
negotiation process.
APA spokesman for American, Dennis Tajer, said the tentative
agreement between United and its pilots would create a two percent pay gap with
American, with back pay provisions, days off for junior pilots and sick time
also favoring United.
Tajer also said the “reality of the marketplace has changed”
and the previous tentative deal “will not encourage new pilots to come to
American.”
Earlier this week, United announced it had reached a labor
agreement with its pilots, which includes a cumulative 34.5-40.2 percent
increase in pay raises throughout the new four-year contract.
The ALPA, representing about 14,000 United pilots, said it
reached a deal in principle with United management that “includes substantial
improvements to compensation, as well as advancements in quality of life,
vacation and other benefits.”
In March, Delta Air Lines became the first major carrier in
the U.S. to overhaul
pilot contracts, with 78 percent of Delta pilots voting in favor of a
four-year contract that includes a 34 percent raise.
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