FedEx Express pilots ratify new 6-year labor contract

The agreement provides increases to hourly pay rates, signing bonuses, changes to health-care and retirement plans, as well as “other positive modifications,” according to the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l.    FedEx Express pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) have approved a new six-year labor contract with company management, according to a statement from the ALPA. 
   The agreement, which was ratified by 57 percent of union voters, will go into effect November 2015 and become amendable in 2021.
   It provides increases to hourly pay rates, signing bonuses, changes to health-care and retirement plans, as well as “other positive modifications,” ALPA said.
   “With the ballot to approve or reject the agreement open for nearly a month, our pilots did their due diligence to analyze and evaluate this agreement. In the end, the majority felt we achieved an agreement that brings improvements and recognizes our contribution to the success of FedEx,” said MEC Chairman Captain Chuck Dyer. 
   “The drive to this agreement was led by our Negotiating Committee, chaired by Captain Scott Larsen, and backed by ALPA’s professional staff, subject-matter experts, and our elected representatives. We worked closely with the National Mediation Board and FedEx management to achieve an agreement that was acceptable to all parties involved,” added MEC Chairman Captain Chuck Dyer.
   Meanwhile, pilots at FedEx Corp.’s primary competitor UPS, who are represented by the Independent Pilots Association, said they will announce the results of a strike authorization vote on Friday, Oct. 23.
   IPA said in a statement it is asking members to authorize a pilot strike against UPS, and if approved, “the five-pilot Executive Board of the Independent Pilots Association will have the authority to formally request a release from federally mediated negotiations with UPS, and the discretion to conduct a strike once mediation is concluded.”
   UPS began labor contract negotiations with the IPA in August 2011. The strike authorization ballot opened on Oct. 1 and will close at 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 23, IPA said.