UPS pilots vote overwhelmingly to strike

The vote wasn’t even close. According to the International Pilot’s Association (IPA), UPS pilots the union represents voted 2,251-8 in favor of a strike against UPS, which opens the door for IPA’s executive board to request a release from The National Mediation Board’s negotiations. If the release is granted, the pilots would be able to strike.

“UPS promises its customers on-time delivery, but after four years of labor negotiations, the company has failed to deliver a contract for its own pilots,” said IPA president, Captain Robert Travis. “In a clear voice, UPS pilots have said they are willing to strike if necessary to finish the job.”

If the pilot’s do strike, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents 250,000 co-workers at UPS, has already voiced its solidarity with the IPA, issuing a statement that its members will not cross IPA’s picket lines. Competitor FedEx has already ratified a six-year contract with its pilots, earlier this week. “Given that the pilots are the only major employee group at FedEx covered by a collective bargaining agreement, this deal brings labor peace to our main competitor,” Travis said.

UPS has said that a strike is only “symbolic,” and insists it has been negotiating in good faith. Travis said the pilots are concerned about work rules, specifically to avoid fatigue, saying the pilots want more time to rest between flights. Other bones of contention are pay, health care and retirement benefits.

UPS and the IPA are scheduled to resume negotiations in early November, with the Federal mediator retaining the right to cancel scheduled sessions.

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