Atlas Air Worldwide accuses Teamsters of illegal work slowdown

Two of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings’ subsidiaries are seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from what the company is calling “illegal and intentional” work slowdowns and service disruptions.    Two of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings’ subsidiaries – Atlas Air, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. – are seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from what the company is calling “illegal and intentional” work slowdowns and service disruptions.
   Atlas Air Worldwide is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., Southern Air Holdings, Inc. and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc.; and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc.
   The company’s request for a preliminary injunction was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the company said in a statement Monday.
   In its filing, the company said the IBT is engaging in the work slowdowns to gain advantage in pilot contract negotiations that are currently underway.
   The work slowdowns and service disruptions are causing significant flight delays, and Atlas Air Worldwide said its customers have been notified of the steps the company is taking to address the work slowdowns.
   Looking ahead, Atlas Air Worldwide said it will continue to negotiate with the IBT for a joint contract for Atlas and Southern Air crewmembers in connection with the pending merger.
   “As the largest air cargo outsourcer in the world and the largest provider of commercial airlift for the U.S. military, businesses across the globe and millions of people depend on the stability, reliability, and viability of Atlas’ day-to-day operations,” Atlas Air Worldwide. President and CEO William Flynn said.
   Meanwhile, Daniel Wells, president of Teamsters Local 1224, said, “We’re still reviewing all of the details, but our initial assessment of AAWW’s lawsuit suggests it is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to abdicate responsibility for its failures and refusal to address the long-expected decline in global pilot supply.
   He added that “Atlas has intentionally expanded its flying operations, all while pretending that it has the staffing capacity to do so. It should come as no surprise therefore that Atlas’ operations are now subject to criticism and scrutiny from its customers and the public. Our customers deserve real, comprehensive solutions, and we are disappointed that rather than facing reality, Atlas would prefer to shift the blame for its mismanagement onto the pilots.”