United Agrees to Pact With Ticket Agents

UAL Corp.’s United Airlines said it has reached a tentative contract agreement with its ticket counter and reservation agents. The deal between United and the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers includes a $750 signing bonus and an across-the-board wage increase of 5.5% to take effect in April 2000, the IAM said. The deal, which covers more than 19,000 U.S. workers, also includes job security and layoff protection, guaranteed and improved pension benefits and flexible part-time policies, the IAM said. The IAM also represents about 24,000 mechanics, food service workers, flight dispatchers and others at United, which is majority-owned by its employees. UAL shares were down 19 cents to close at $82.81 on the New York Stock Exchange.