United and 688 flight attendants have reached an accord to avoid the involuntary furloughs announced in January. The Flight Attendants International union struck the deal with United to allow flight attendants to move between the Continental and United sides of the business while maintaining much of their seniority and benefits. Now, flight attendants not on voluntary furloughs can retain seniority and their right to be recalled. Both the company and the flight attendants? union have said that their stakeholders are pleased with the negotiations as it allows protections for workers while increasing business flexibility.
See "United Airlines, union strike deal to avert about 700 layoffs", Gregory Karp, Chicago Tribune, February 10, 2014