United Employees Represented by the IAM Ratify Agreements

New agreements cover 28,000 fleet service, passenger service and stores employees

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Oct 29, 2013, 10:20 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced that its fleet service, passenger service, reservations and storekeeper workgroups at its United, Continental, Continental Micronesia and MileagePlus subsidiaries ratified new joint labor agreements.

"These agreements provide our co-workers with pay and benefit adjustments, while also giving United the flexibility to be more efficient as we provide great customer service," said Jon Roitman, senior vice president of airport operations and cargo. "The negotiating committees for United and the IAM worked together collaboratively to reach these agreements, and we look forward to working closely with the union to implement them."

The agreements run through 2016 and cover nearly 28,000 United employees.

"The National Mediation Board provided support throughout the negotiating process and I want to thank board member Linda Puchala and senior mediator Patricia Sims, along with mediators Michael Kelliher and Andrew Nordgren," said Mike Bonds, executive vice president of human resources and labor relations. "We now have joint contracts for more than half of our represented employees, and we will work to continue our progress in negotiations with our other work groups."

Since merging with Continental, United has made significant progress in bringing together work groups. The company has reached combined agreements for pilots, passenger service, reservations, fleet service and stores employees, and separate agreements with flight attendants and technicians from its United, Continental and Continental Micronesia subsidiaries.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. United is investing in upgrading its onboard products and now offers more flat-bed seats in its premium cabins and more extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has made large-scale investments in its fleet. In 2013, United continues to modernize its fleet by taking delivery of more than two dozen new Boeing aircraft. The company will have launched 14 new international and 19 new domestic routes, including the addition of seven new cities to its network, by the end of 2013. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2012, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for nine consecutive years. According to the 4^th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published by IdeaWorksCompany in May 2013, United has the most saver-style award-seat availability among the largest U.S. global airlines. Air Transport World named United as the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines