American And United Pilots Focus On Quality Of Life Issues In Contract Talks

Pilot contract talks at both American and United Airlines appear to be making progress, according to posts by pilot unions at both carriers.

In messages to pilots sent Monday, the negotiating committees for both groups said they made progress last week and will keep talking this week. Quality of life issues were cited as key concerns in both messages.

Also, United pilots said they still see a gap in economic areas. “This gap is largely driven by our differences in opinion with management on what constitutes an industry-leading agreement,” said negotiators for the United chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association.

For American pilots, “Discussions throughout March, especially last week’s offsite sessions, have been largely constructive, achieving progress daily,” said the message from negotiators for the Allied Pilots Association. “Both parties have brought the key negotiating team members and subject matter experts (SMEs) needed to allow for productive discussions surrounding several complex topics.”

APA negotiators said they have focused on scheduling and work rules. “These sections are core for our quality of life,” they said. “These are also the two sections that have the most unimplemented items from our current contract, generate the most contractual violations, create frustration among our pilots, and are – at the same time – critical to the airline’s operational integrity.”

For United pilots, “ We have achieved gains in many areas important to United pilots, including areas where historically the company has been reluctant to agree,” negotiators said. “Still, more work remains to be done. Our primary goals are closing out the remaining scheduling and QWL areas and seeking meaningful progress to narrow the gap in economic areas where we remain far apart.” QWL refers to quality of life.

“During the week, we continued exhaustive discussions on necessary improvements to reserve quality of life and line holder scheduling provisions,” negotiators said. “Management has been receptive to the need to update our work rules for the first time since 2012. Our MEC and negotiating committee have made these issues a priority and will not rush past them.”

Both letters referred to various specific areas where bargaining has made progress.

For the American pilots, this includes work rules, compensation, benefits, deadheading and jump seat, training, expenses away from base, agreement duration, temporary duty travel, and grievance and arbitration, among other items. Additionally, “compensation discussions continue on pay rates, 401(k), back pay, and profit sharing,” APA negotiators said.

United negotiators said they have reached agreement on improvements in duty rigs, expense limits and provisions, parental leave provisions, trip trading options, day off restoration and HDO (Holy Day Off) flexibility. They are making progress on days off for reserves, reserve assignment order, reserve call out times and reassignment issues.

The Delta pilot contract, which took effect March 2, is widely viewed as a template for the remaining contracts. It provides a 34% increase in pay over the life of the contract, as well as improvements in quality of life, vacation and benefits for the carrier’s 15,000 pilots. The Delta contract becomes amendable Dec. 31, 2026.