Move FM Global News

CHICAGO, Illinois: In potentially the richest labor deal being negotiated by a major U.S. carrier, United Airlines is offering its pilots a contract worth more than $8 billion in cumulative increases in pay and benefits over four years.

In their negotiations with company management over new employment contracts, pilots in North America are demanding better pay and working conditions.

In March, Delta agreed to a landmark pilots contract offering $7 billion in higher pay and benefits ahead of a busy summer travel season, which pressured its rivals to offer similar increases.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg News has reported that United CEO Scott Kirby has said that the Chicago-based carrier has been negotiating weekly to reach a formal agreement with the union.

Kirby added that United would top the recent deals agreed to by its two biggest rivals, but he has not revealed details included in the proposal.

Earlier this month, the company’s pilots union voted to authorize a strike vote, a bargaining tactic used by unions during contract negotiations.

In an interview with Reuters, the union said, “We have disagreed with the company on the costing of items and they, in our opinion, have inflated many. We still have significant quality of work-life balance, sick leave, and long-term disability issues.”