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UPS pilots prepared to strike if not offered 'industry leading contract'

THE Independent Pilot's Association (IPA), which represents 2,500 United Parcel Service (UPS) pilots, will vote next month on whether to strike if a new contract with the carrier is not reached, reports Atlanta Air Cargo World.

"After four years of contract talks, we've reached a point where UPS needs to hear loud and clear that our membership is willing to do what it takes to secure an industry leading contract," said IPA president Robert Travis.

The union said that if the pilots vote in favour, it will seek release from federally mediated negotiations with UPS.

Reuters reported that the National Mediation Board has been facilitating mediations between UPS and the IPA since early 2014 on issues related to compensation, pension and benefits.

UPS said it pays its captains a minimum of US$255,128 annually and usually more. By comparison, the company stated, the next-highest-paid captains are at its chief rival, FedEx, which just reached a tentative agreement with its pilots on a guarantee of $230,379 per year.

The median pay for a US commercial pilot is $98,410, according to the most current Bureau of Labour Statistics data. UPS also touted its pension, benefits, safety record, crew rest time and security for its employees.

"UPS has stalled and delayed, unnecessarily prolonging our negotiations," IPA president Robert Travis said in a statement. "UPS management has created a bitter standoff with its pilot employees."

The pilot's contract is covered under the Railway Labour Act (RLA), the US law that governs airline contract talks. Under the RLA, airline contracts do not expire, they become "amendable," UPS said.

Under the railway act, contract terms remain in force while the new contract is negotiated. The IPA said the contract became amendable toward the end of 2011.

The Reuters report said that if the National Mediation Board grants a release from the mediation, a strike or lockout could follow after a 30-day countdown. UPS said it will continue to negotiate in good faith.

UPS is confident that talks will be completed without disruption to service. The IPA said it will announce the result of its UPS strike vote October 23.