United and the Association of Flight Attendants announced earlier they have reached an agreement on terms of a joint contract that would bring the airline’s more than 25,000 flight attendants together into a single work group.

The agreement is subject to approval by the Joint Master Executive Council, including all local presidents, after which it will become a tentative agreement and will be put out for ratification by flight attendants.

The parties will work this weekend to finalise the contract language.

“Today’s agreement honours the invaluable role that our flight attendants contribute to United’s success and brings us closer than ever to uniting them under a single contract,” said United president Oscar Munoz.

“It’s been a long journey and I’m grateful to our outstanding flight attendants – the most talented and professional inflight team anywhere in the world – for all they do to keep our customers safe and comfortable.”

United thanks both negotiating teams and the National Mediation Board for working to reach this agreement.

United has joint collective bargaining agreements covering the majority of its represented employees and has reached new agreements with three work groups so far this year.

Recently, the company’s employees who are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted to ratify new contracts.

Earlier this year, United’s pilots voted to ratify a contract extension more than a year ahead of their contract’s amendable date, following an expedited negotiations process with the Air Line Pilots Association.

The company’s dispatchers also voted recently to ratify a contract extension.

Additionally, the airline is engaged in mediated negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.