American Airlines pilots voted this week to authorize their union to name a strike as contract talks with the airline proceed.

Support for the authorization was overwhelming. With 96% of Allied Pilots Association members collaborating, 99% voted to let the union name a strike. The vote doesn’t imply the union will name a strike instantly, or that it'll in any respect. At the very least, a name for a strike must be authorised by the National Mediation Board first.

As contract talks dragged, APA known as for a strike authorization vote in March.

Capt. Ed Sicher, APA president, mentioned in an announcement after the vote, “Today marks a proud milestone in our pilot group’s unity and resolve and an important step on our path to securing the contract we have earned and deserve, one that prevents management from operating at a discount to our competitors and includes our ‘must have’ quality of life priorities.”

American Airlines representatives say contract negotiations are anticipated to complete quickly, with just a few points left to iron out.

“We remain confident that an agreement for our pilots is within reach and can be finalized quickly,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement. “The finish line is in sight.”

Every airline in negotiations has to reckon with the contract Delta Airlines’ pilots reached earlier this 12 months. The Delta contract gave pilots 34% raises over 4 years and different quality-of-life enhancements.

According to 1 potential four-year deal, American Airlines pilots would make as much as $590,000 a 12 months flying wide-body planes and $475,000 flying narrow-body planes, together with elevated contributions to 401(okay)s. Currently, wide-body pilots make $420,000 a 12 months and narrow-body pilots earn $340,000.

The vote comes as staff throughout the airline trade negotiate for higher contracts and dealing situations. Southwest and United Airlines have each handled troublesome contract talks as pilots search higher pay, advantages and dependable work schedules to take care of a post-pandemic journey surge.

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