OREANDA-NEWS. United announced that it has reached an Agreement in Principle with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) for a contract extension covering the airline's more than 12,000 pilots more than a year ahead of the amendable date of the current contract. The agreement is subject to a ratification process which includes final documentation, review, and consideration by the ALPA Master Executive Council.

"The fact that we were able to reach this Agreement in Principle in fewer than 30 days is a direct result of the positive, collaborative relationship between ALPA leadership and United," said Executive Vice President Human Resources and Labor Relations Mike Bonds. "We appreciate the hard work of the company and union negotiating teams in helping us reach an Agreement in Principle that will benefit pilots and United."

United has joint collective bargaining agreements covering the majority of its represented employees and recently announced that it will open contract negotiations early for the airline's ramp service and passenger service agents, storekeepers, load planners, maintenance and fleet technical instructors, and other groups represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The airline is also engaged in mediated negotiations with the Association of Flight Attendants and recently announced an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to put a proposed joint collective bargaining agreement out for ratification by the company's technicians and related employees.