United Airlines and its pilots’ union reached an agreement on programs meant to limit the number of pilots affected by involuntary furloughs this fall.
Passenger air travel has plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic and airlines that accepted financial assistance through the federal coronavirus aid package, can’t lay off workers before Oct. 1. In recent weeks, airlines have warned that tens of thousands of jobs are at risk after that, and United has sent layoff warnings to 36,000 employees, including 2,250 pilots.
The agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents United pilots, includes an early retirement deal for pilots over age 62 who have been with the airline for at least 10 years and several programs that would allow pilots to volunteer for a leave of absence or voluntary furlough.
Some of the options would let pilots continue training so they can be recalled from a furlough more quickly, Captain Todd Insler, chairman of the United ALPA, said in a news release. “The union is doing everything in its power to develop creative and innovative ways to reduce furloughs and protect the careers of United pilots.”
United is working to limit the number of employees furloughed this fall, but “there is no doubt our airline will be a smaller one come Oct. 1, 2020,” Bryan Quigley, senior vice president of flight operations, said in a message to pilots outlining the options Thursday night.
The airline said it is working with all unions representing its employees on options that could reduce the number of involuntary furloughs.