American Airlines Offers Salary Raise to Pilots

American Airlines has offered an almost 20% raise in pay for pilots and a two-year contract in the hopes of ending years of contract negotiations, CNBC reports.

The offer still needs to be approved by the union’s board and ratified by more than 15,000 pilots. 

If approved, there will be an immediate 12% raise on the day the contract is signed, 5% after a year, and 2% after two years.

This means that most senior captains would receive about $432 an hour after two years. New officers would receive closer to $110 an hour more.  

Previously, the offer only amounted to a 17% raise.

The Dallas Business Journal reports that Ed Sicher, president of the Allied Pilots Association union, may not move forward with the contract due to an alleged violation of the union’s rules and constitution. 

“We have waited too long and come too far to not act with great prudence and care to deliver the contract we all deserve,” Sicher is quoted as saying to its membership. “The [board of directors] must be thorough in its deliberations over what has been presented by the negotiating chair. For those reasons, I am rescinding the call for a meeting on the 31st of October.”

The specific union bylaw, which may have been violated, must have at least two members present when meeting with company negotiators. 

“I believe this is the prudent and appropriate course in order to ensure that we all meet our obligations to the membership as set forth in our governing documents,” Sicher said. “We will continue to move forward towards a new contract without delay, but as importantly, without haste.”

The Fort Worth-based American Airlines isn’t the only major airline negotiating with its pilots’ union.

Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines are all in negotiations with their respective pilots’ unions, some for months. 

According to Simple Flying, United Airlines recently reached a tentative deal with its pilots’ union for a 14% salary increase.