DALLAS (NEWSnet/AP) — American Airlines pilots have approved a new contract that will raise their pay about 41% over four years, their union said Monday.

Allied Pilots Association said 73% of pilots who took part voted in favor of the four-year contract, which it valued at $9.6 billion.

“This contract is a big first step toward restoring the wages, benefits, and work rules that were lost during the past two decades while our profession was under continuous assault," said Ed Sicher, union president.

He said pilots deserve to be compensated in line with the “tremendous amount of responsibility” they take with every flight.

American has about 15,000 pilots.

Allied Pilots Association said its new contract with American includes $1.1 billion in one-time payments and ratification bonuses and immediate pay raises averaging 21%. Annual raises, plus increased company contributions to retirement plans, will raise the value of total compensation by 46% over four years, according to the union.

It also includes additional vacation benefits and changes designed to give pilots more predictable schedules, the union said.

Airline industry labor contracts do not expire — that's part of a federal law designed to make strikes nearly impossible. Instead, they become open for change or “amendable” at their conclusion.

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