United this week reached a tentative labor agreement with its flight attendants that it said will raise wages and improve scheduling.
The deal includes immediate raises upon ratification, boarding pay, new pay for long gaps between flights, and a signing bonus for every flight attendant. By the end of the contract’s term, top wage rates would reach $100 per hour, making United flight attendants the best paid in the industry, airline officials said.
The contract is worth a total of $740 million. It would become amendable after five years.
Further details were not immediately available.
United’s flight attendants have not had a contractual pay increase in almost six years. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA reached a prior agreement with the carrier last year, but the membership voted it down.
That deal included immediate raises of at least 26% and some quality of life improvements.
Union leaders said at the time that they planned to survey members about their wants and priorities.
The new provisional agreement is subject to approval by the AFA’s Master Executive Council, including all local presidents. If given the green light, it would proceed to a ratification vote by the flight attendants.
