United, union reach accord

United Airlines reached an agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants union Friday that avoids involuntary furlough through improved voluntary options. Without the deal, 688 flight attendants would have faced furloughs in April. The job loss threat was a result of the 2010 merger of United and Continental Airlines. The union represents about 25,000 workers. (Source: CNBC, PRNewswire, 02/07/14) Gulf Coast note: In the Gulf Coast I-10 region, United serves New Orleans, La., Gulfport/Biloxi, Miss., Mobile, Ala., Pensacola, Fla., and Eglin/Valparaiso, Fla.