(Reuters) – United Airways on Wednesday prolonged a deadline for many workers to determine whether or not to take voluntary furlough offers to Aug. 10, because it waits to see if the U.S. Congress extends an airline bailout within the first week of August.United introduced the extension in a memo to workers seen by Reuters, including that it was working with unions, that are lobbying U.S. lawmakers for an extension of the bailout that might forestall voluntary furloughs and delay influence on workers till early 2021.United confirmed the memo and declined to remark additional. Most workers had beforehand confronted a Thursday deadline to determine whether or not to use to depart.”Whereas nothing is for certain, our union companions have constructed a robust marketing campaign to advocate for an extension” of the payroll help program, the memo mentioned. “We have now labored intently with them to assist these efforts.” However the letter added that United is “not relying on Congress passing an extension.”Chicago-based United mentioned final week greater than 6,000 workers had opted for exit packages. However after sending 36,000 notices of potential furloughs this month, that comparatively low take-up suggests United may need to furlough a big variety of employees.On Monday, a majority of the U.S. Home of Representatives signed a letter calling for a six-month extension of the $32 billion aviation trade payroll support program, arguing it’s essential to retaining a whole bunch of 1000’s of aviation employees employed.The payroll program is about to run out Sept. 30.Congress awarded $25 billion in payroll help to U.S. passenger airways in March, together with $four billion for cargo carriers and $three billion for airport contractors. Most bailout funds do not need to be paid again.Between American Airways and United, greater than 60,000 frontline employees have obtained warnings that their jobs are on the road on Oct. 1.Individually, American has prolonged a deadline for frontline employees to just accept voluntary exit packages to Aug. 5 from July 31, based on a memo seen by Reuters. (Reporting By Tracy Rucinski and David Shepardson, modifying by Peter Henderson and Cynthia Osterman)
