United Airlines pilots union votes to authorize a strike vote

The United Airlines Holdings pilots union has unanimously voted to authorize a strike vote, the union chair said in a letter to pilots on Friday. "You'll receive more communication regarding this impending strike vote in the coming days," the letter says. A spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said it has not yet set a date for the strike vote. This action comes months after pilots at Delta ratified a contract that includes over $7b in cumulative increases in pay and benefits over four years. Industry officials say Delta's new contract has become a benchmark for contract negotiations in North America. "We have offered our pilots an industry leading deal and we're actively working with ALPA to reach an agreement," a United Airlines spokesperson said, adding that United flights will continue to operate as planned as the negotiation process continues. A move towards a strike vote is a bargaining tactic unions have been using in contract negotiations, and a strike mandate does not mean pilots will walk off the job.<br/>