American Airlines pay win

Pay strikes by more than 50 American Airlines aircraft maintenance technicians and crew chiefs have been called off after an improved offer was secured.

During negotiations, Unite, the UK’s leading union, secured a three-year pay deal worth 19 per cent.

The deal will see pay increase by seven per cent for 2022, backdated to January, six per cent for 2023 and six per cent for 2024.

Previously, the company had offered 5.3 per cent in year one, a one-off payment in year two and a pay freeze for year three.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “By standing together in their union, our members at American Airlines secured a significantly improved deal.

“Unite’s focus is on making sure workers get a fairer slice of the pie by fighting for better jobs, pay and conditions. As this result shows, it is a strategy that is paying off for our members.”

Last week, Unite announced the members’ intention to strike in pursuit of a better deal but this is now off after the engineers voted to accept the new offer.

Unite Regional Officer Joe McGowan added, “The engineers at American Airlines have secured a much better pay deal because they were fearless, determined, and united. It is another reminder that workers looking to improve their wages, terms and conditions should join Unite and organise their colleagues to do the same.”

By Ryan Fletcher