CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL), the holding company of United Airlines and Continental Airlines, Saturday said that its pilots ratified a new joint labor agreement for all United Airlines pilots.
About 10 thousand pilots of United and Continental, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), participated in the ratification vote. Almost 67 percent approved the agreement.
The agreement brings both pilot groups together, working under a single contract. It will begin to be implemented immediately, and will provide gains in compensation, work rules, job protections and retirement and benefits for the pilots, the statement from ALPA said.
The agreement runs through December 2016 and covers nearly 10,000 United pilots.
United Continental Holdings is the worlds biggest carrier. The company was formed in 2010 when UAL Corporation merged Continental Airlines.
'The ratification of this agreement is an important step forward for our pilots and the company,' said FredAbbott, senior vice president of flight operations. 'We look forward to the efficiencies and teamwork we will achieve as our pilots become one group once they complete their seniority integration.'
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