US Airways, Union Reach Deal, Avert Strike

US Airways and the Assn. of Flight Attendants hailed their agreement Saturday on a tentative five-year contract that keeps planes flying and provides raises for the union’s 10,000 members.

“It’s an agreement that shows the company has recognized the value of the flight attendants,” union negotiator Lynn Lenosky said.

The company said the pact, which the union’s rank and file must approve, allows it to remain competitive.

Union and airline bargainers stayed at the table with federal mediators for more than three hours past a 12:01 a.m. EST Saturday strike deadline. US Airways had said it would halt operations rather than try to weather a strike.

If approved, the agreement would guarantee raises of 10% for flight attendants, plus some new paid holidays and a signing bonus, according to Lenosky. The starting salary for attendants has been $17,145 a year, with those at the top of the pay scale earning $36,918.

The attendants have not had a raise since 1996, the year their previous contract expired.

Also, union negotiators said they won pension improvements, including the elimination of a two-tiered system under which married attendants received lower benefits.

Lenosky said the attendants won protection of their jobs should the company sell off part of its operations.

Company officials declined to provide further details Saturday, but they had been seeking changes to sick leave and scheduling. AFA negotiators said the union approved concessions on work rules.