United Airlines said Wednesday it plans to cut more than 16,000 jobs early next month, following federal coronavirus aid protecting aviation jobs.
These involuntary cuts, many of them furloughs, meaning employees could be called back if demand returns, make up about 17% of United’s staffing level by the end of 2019.
However, Chicago-based United warned in July that the number was much lower than the 36,000 staff whose jobs were at risk. The reduction is thanks to the thousands of volunteers who embraced buyouts, early retirement packages and more than a dozen other forms of temporary leaves or reduction schedules. Airlines, urging employees to take such options to reduce their headcounts, in some cases offer features such as continuous health care, which are sold during epidemics. More than 7,000 United employees chose to leave the company.
The company can still reduce the number of involuntary job cuts through voluntary measures, especially with its pilots.
The airline said in an employee memo that “the epidemic has lasted longer than almost any expert’s prediction, and travel demand cannot keep pace with the United staffing level in an environment so frustrating that we can significantly outpace the flight schedule.” . ” .
The planned involuntary cuts to 16,370 jobs include 6,920 flight attendants, 2,850 pilots, 1,400 management jobs, 2,010 mechanics and 2,260 airport operations.
American said last week that it came after United announced it planned to cut 19,000 jobs and, with the voluntary leaves of absenteeism and buyouts, it was 30% smaller before the epidemic until more federal aid was received.
Airline labor unions and officials have appealed to Congress for an additional 25 billion in federal aid to save jobs by the end of March, but legislators have not yet approved a new national coronavirus relief package that could include airline relief.
The original allotment to airlines, which passed a ના 2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package in March, would prohibit airlines from cutting jobs or paying rates by September 30.
The payroll aid was supposed to help airlines manage a dip in demand in the hope of returning passengers this summer, but according to federal data, demand has reached about 0% last year, and the airlines are preparing to reduce their main account.
United CEO Scott Kirby has said he expects demand for plateau at the mid-2019 level without a coronavirus vaccine. Carriers and others are now trying to win back customers. On Sunday, it said it would permanently get rid of the 200 200 local ticket-change fee for all passengers except the cheapest ticket, a move quickly taken by Delta and American.
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