United Airlines warns thousands of workers their jobs are in danger

United Airlines said the jobs of around 14,000 employees were at risk when a second round of federal aid expires this spring, the latest sign of how the industry is struggling to regain a foothold in the coronavirus pandemic.

Companies are legally required to notify their employees in advance if their jobs are threatened and that does not mean that they will end up losing their jobs. United look to new voluntary measures to downsize.

United and American Airlines recently began recalling thousands of employees they took on leave when the government’s first round of payroll support expired in the fall. Congress approved additional aid for the industry last year, on condition that they recall workers on leave and maintain their payrolls until March 31. United told employees last year the recalls would likely be temporary.

“Despite continued efforts to distribute vaccines, customer demand has not changed much since we recalled these employees,” the airline said Friday in a staff memo, which was seen by CNBC. “When the recalls began, United said most of the recalled employees would return to their previous status following the fall vacation around April 1.”