United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) has struck a deal with its pilots to decrease costs while avoiding having to furlough any workers. As part of the agreement, no furloughs will take place until next year, regardless of whether Congress is able to continue payroll support.
United Airlines is one of many companies relying on Congress to help pay its employees amid drastically reduced demand. With so many flights canceled and passenger traffic at an all-time low, the airline industry became one of the beneficiaries of the CARES Act, receiving payroll support as part of the bipartisan stimulus deal. With a deadline looming and Congress appearing unresponsive, United Airlines was left scrambling to negate a disaster.
Negotiations between pilots and United administration, however, were fruitful, with a deal being approved on Monday that postpones further furloughs until June of 2021.
"Our members understood that in order to protect pilot jobs, we needed to approve this agreement. I am proud of our pilots for showing the unity and resolve needed in the face of uncertainty," said Capt. Todd Insler of the United Air Line Pilots Association.
The tradeoff is that pilots with the company will see their hours reduced as available flights are spread between all available pilots. Pilots will have to make do with fewer hours and less income, but will thankfully keep their jobs and avoid the risk of being laid off due to declining demand.
Similar agreements have been reached by United's contemporaries. Delta (NYSE: DAL) reached a similar agreement with its pilots to postpone any furloughs until November 1, while American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) is seeking $5.5 billion in federal loans to stabilize its finances, though where this leaves pilots is currently uncertain. United also plans to borrow $5.17 billion from the U.S. Treasury Department, adding to its existing debt of about $24 billion.
Meanwhile, no such agreements were met for other employees of major commercial airlines. With no further stimulus bill passed, both United and American have involuntarily furloughed 32,000 employees on Thursday after reaching earlier voluntary staff cutting measures. The airlines have stated that they will call for laid off employees to return if further government stimulus is passed.