Airlines Worst Hit: 16,370 Employees from Top Airlines to Lose Jobs, Others to Go without Pay! - Details

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate the airline industry, United Airlines announced that it is preparing to furlough 16,370 workers while many more people will be without pay.

Sharing details about the massive jobless, United’s cuts include 6,920 flight attendants, while the union representing them said 14,000 will not have a paycheck in October unless Congress acts to extend $25 billion in aid. 

Amid all this, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson said this is because many have opted for leaves that will provide healthcare but no money. “United’s furlough announcement does not tell the full story,” Nelson said.

As per News18 report, Chicago-based United had moe than 90,000 employees before the pandemic which has currently come to a standstill. In July, they had warned that 36,000 jobs were at risk of involuntary furloughs as demand remained weak. 

Due to the pandemic, U.S. passenger airlines are still collectively losing more than $5 billion a month as 30 percent of planes remain parked. Also, nearly 7,400 United employees have opted to take early retirement or departure packages and the company is working through several other voluntary temporary leave programs to further reduce the number of furloughs, United officials clarified. 

Looking into the other areas of job cut, United’s furloughs will also affect around 2,850 pilots, 2,010 mechanics and 1,400 management and administrative positions, among others. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said his administration would help U.S. airlines during these difficult times but nothing has been done so far.