United Airlines flight attendants have finally ratified a new contract, ending a long and often bitter labor battle with management.

United Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract With Big Raises, Retro Pay

United Airlines flight attendants have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, delivering long-awaited raises, retro pay, boarding pay, sit pay, and quality-of-life improvements after years of negotiations.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA announced that 88.85% of eligible United flight attendants participated in the vote, with 82% voting in favor of ratification.

That is a decisive margin and a sharp reversal from last year, when United flight attendants rejected a prior tentative agreement .

The new contract includes an average base pay increase of 31%, boarding pay, sit pay, and a $741 million retro pay package. Top-of-scale United flight attendants will eventually earn more than $100 per hour.

That is a big number, though it should be understood in context.…