Raises and maternity leaves for United Airlines pilots

United Airlines has set the bar for the rest of the industry after the union representing its pilots has approved a tentative deal that would give the aviators pay raises of more than 14%. This is the first major US carrier to have reached a deal since the covid 19 pandemic. This agreement comes when the airline and others struggle with a pilot shortage. This has pushed many airlines to cut their schedules short 

The new contract faces a vote by rank-and-file pilots that will conclude in mid-July. Under the new agreement approved on Friday, pilots will get more than 14.5% in pay increases within 18 months, according to Air Line Pilots Association, the union that represents 14,000 United pilots. 

The pay for pilots at United as of 2020 ranged from about $73,000 a year for an early-career first officer on the carrier’s smallest aircraft to more than $337,000 for a wide-body captain. However, this pay could vary depending on how often pilots fly. Meanwhile, the new two-year agreement also comes with eight weeks of maternity leave which is a first for the US carrier. United has said that women comprise 7% of its pilot ranks. This win has also set the tone for negotiations at other large U.S. carriers, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as unions seek quality-of-life improvements after two years of the pandemic. 

Source: CNBC