United Pilots Tentatively Agree to New Pact

United Airlines said Thursday that its pilots tentatively agreed to “a new comprehensive labor contract.” The agreement came a day after United’s flight attendants picketed six airports to protest a lack of progress in their contract talks.

The developments raised questions about the strength of the union coalition that was formed last fall after a union offer to buy the airline failed. At the time, United’s three unions--pilots, flight attendants and machinists--said they would work together on contract negotiations and continue to pursue employee ownership.

Ellon Jarvis, flight attendant negotiator, said the “labor coalition definitely exists.” She said the flight attendants do not have a new contract because “the company concentrated on pilot negotiations and dragged their feet with us.”

Jarvis refused to say whether pilots would support any flight attendant-led job action, such as a work slowdown or strike. The attendants took a strike vote more than a year ago.

News of the contract agreement boosted the stock of United’s parent, Chicago-based UAL Corp., which closed up $2.125 a share at $149.25.