United Pilots Integrate Seniority List

A United plane landing at JFK

Pilots at United Continental now have an integrated seniority list, more than three years after the two carriers announced a merger that created the world’s largest airline.  Pilot groups approved a joint contract in December 2012.

A three-member arbitration panel established an integrated seniority list on Tuesday.  The seniority list is “final and binding,” said the Air Line Pilots Association, representing both Continental and United pilots, who are about to be combined.

Arbitration was conducted in accordance with the union’s merger policy and several related agreements between the two pilot groups.

The move brings both pilot groups under a single list that governs bidding rights for trips, vacation preferences, base assignments, furloughs, and recalls.

United-Continental pilots face on more hurled in their merger, namely the creation of a combined leadership team called the United Master Executive Council and electing four new officers.  That step, the union said, is expected to be completed by the end of October.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)