United Airlines warns thousands of workers that their jobs are in danger

United Airlines said the jobs of about 14,000 employees are in jeopardy when the second round of federal aid expires this spring, the latest sign of the industry struggling to regain its position in the coronavirus pandemic.

Companies have a legal obligation to inform employees if their jobs are in danger in advance and does not mean that they will eventually lose their jobs. United is moving towards new voluntary measures to reduce its staff.

United and American Airlines recently began to remember the thousands of employees they sent when the first round of government payroll expired in the fall. Congress approved additional aid for the industry last year, provided they call back workers who have been hired and keep wages until March 31. United told employees last year that the returns would be temporary.

“Despite continued efforts to distribute vaccines, customer demand has not changed much since we reminded those employees,” the airline said in a staff note Friday, which was seen by CNBC. “When the recalls began, United said most of the recalled employees would return to their previous state as a result of the April 1 fall roads.”