Flight attendants at United Airlines say they have opened direct talks with the US carrier over a new contract that will help save the company from bankruptcy.

The Association of Flight Attendants warned, however, that it is not going into the negotiations just to provide the struggling carrier with concessions. It is demanding a profit sharing and equity deal as part of any cost savings package.

The AFA's Greg Davidovitch, in a statement, emphasized that any agreement must akso be reached within the framework of cost-cutting proposals made by a coalition of the airline's unions.

The Flight Attendants understand that it will likely take the participation of all labor groups, creditors, lenders and lessors for the airline to successfully restructure outside of bankruptcy, the statement said.

It is now up to United management to proceed with the fairness and equity needed in these delicate negotiations, recognizing the unique characteristics of each labor group and achieving individual cost savings packages that meet the airline's needs.

All of this must fall within the framework developed by the Union Coalition. The money is there, United must now show its willingness to work with us to get access to it and the other strategic initiatives contained in the Union Coalition Framework, the statement continued.

Speaking on behalf of the airline's 26,000 attendants, Davidovitch said: "Flight Attendants are not entering these negotiations just for the sake of providing management with concessions. As part of any cost savings package ( they) must be rewarded with equity and profit sharing for our investment in the airline that will reward us when the airline turns around.

"In the event United is unable to secure the concessions needed from all constituencies ...... and bankruptcy becomes necessary, we are also demanding a guarantee that management will not seek any further concessions if the Flight Attendant membership ratifies a concessionary agreement."