(Reuters) – The United Airlines Holdings Inc pilots union has unanimously voted to authorize a strike vote, the union chair said in a letter to pilots on Friday.
“You’ll receive more communication regarding this impending strike vote in the coming days,” the letter says. A spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said it has not yet set a date for the strike vote.
This action comes months after pilots at Delta Air Lines ratified a contract that includes over $7 billion in cumulative increases in pay and benefits over four years.
Industry officials say Delta’s new contract has become a benchmark for contract negotiations in North America.
“We have offered our pilots an industry leading deal and we’re actively working with ALPA to reach an agreement,” a United Airlines spokesperson said, adding that United flights will continue to operate as planned as the negotiation process continues.
A move towards a strike vote is a bargaining tactic unions have been using in contract negotiations, and a strike mandate does not mean pilots will walk off the job.
Ad: Save every day with Amazon Deals: Check out today's daily deals on Amazon.
United’s contract came up for renewal in 2019 and negotiations have been underway for five years. Last year, its pilots overwhelmingly voted against a tentative contract, which the union said fell short of what members were seeking. Since then, United pilots have been protesting for a better deal.
(Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Gokul Pisharody; Editing by William Mallard)