May 12, 2023

Solidarity on Display in Record Turnout as Thousands of United Airlines Pilots Demand Fair Treatment and Modern Contract During Nationwide Picket

NATIONWIDE—3,000 United Airlines pilots, joined by ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi, fellow ALPA pilots, and union supporters stood shoulder to shoulder in a coast-to-coast picketing event today to make their voices heard as management makes no significant movement to modernize their antiquated contract. United pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), protested management’s refusal to recognize the vital role the pilots play in their company’s success.

“I am proud to stand here today to send United Airlines management a message that the airline’s pilots have the full backing of their international union in their fight for the contract they have earned,” said Ambrosi. “United management needs to stop slow-rolling negotiations that have dragged into their fifth year and do the right thing for their pilots.”

“United pilots will always be there for our customers,” said Capt. Garth Thompson, United ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) chair. “Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about management, who seems to think that a last-minute cancelation of a United pilot’s scheduled day off, or abrupt trip reassignments that extend into planned days off is acceptable for a United pilot’s family. This is an example of how this old pilot contract impacts our ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance. United pilots will deal with this adversity in our usual professional and safe manner. We will continue to work in 2023 despite staffing shortages in Air Traffic Control facilities, aggressive summer schedules, capacity constraints, and weather. And most importantly, United pilots want the company and the public to know that the bold ‘United Next’ growth plans cannot work without an updated pilot contract.”

“Today’s nationwide picket was a resounding success,” Capt. Thompson added. “This is not just about pilots; it is about the future of United Airlines. We believe that United has the potential to be the biggest and best world-class airline, and we are committed to helping the company achieve its goals.” 

Media contact: Michael.Batkins@alpa.org or 847-292-1708

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 69,000 pilots at 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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