FedEx and UPS Union Reps Meet in Memphis

[Falconjet]

Got this email tonight from the union. It is a press release describing a meeting between IPA and ALPA reps about contract negotionations at both MAJOR, Part 121 (cargo carrying) airlines. Thought it might be interesting for folks to see.

FJ

For Immediate Release
January 28, 2005

FedEx, UPS Pilots Meet to Discuss Issues of Common Concern

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - On Jan. 25 and 26, members of the Independent
Pilots Association (IPA), the collective bargaining agent for the
pilots at UPS, and members of the FedEx unit of the Air Line
Pilots Association, International (ALPA), met in Memphis to
discuss the current progress of contract negotiations with their
respective companies. The meeting also focused on areas of
common interest, such as pilot fatigue and how it relates to
flying on the "back side of the clock" and outsourcing of pilot
jobs to foreign carriers, which falls under the heading of scope.
All of the issues discussed have a significant impact on both
pilot groups.

While recognizing the independence of their two groups, IPA and
ALPA agree that they are each well-served by supporting each
other in their individual efforts to preclude management of
either company from whipsawing one group against the other. "With
both FedEx and UPS reporting record profits and dividends, it is
vital that our pilot groups be recognized for the contributions
they have made in helping our companies achieve their success,"
said Captain David Webb, chairman of the FedEx Master Executive
Council (MEC), a unit of ALPA.

"Although UPS and FedEx are major competitors when it comes to
the shipping industry, our pilot groups have mutual concerns that
need to be addressed on an industry level," said Captain Tom
Nicholson, IPA president. "Safety, security, and the health and
welfare of our crewmembers are of major importance to both groups
and must never be deflected regardless of the profitability of
either company."

Pleased with the success of this week's meeting, which provided
valuable insight into issues both groups face in the industry and
at the bargaining table, both ALPA and IPA have agreed to meet
again to discuss future progress of their respective
negotiations.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's oldest and largest pilot
union representing 64,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the United
States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org.

The IPA is the collective bargaining unit for the 2,500
professional pilots who fly the 268 heavy jet UPS fleet. IPA
pilots fly more than 1,890 UPS flight segments every day to
multiple points over five continents. In addition to being the
world's largest transportation company, UPS is also the world's
eleventh largest airline.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

While this may seem like Kumbaya it is actually very effective....

The new industry leading battles will be fought at the cargo level. Hopefully they will perserve this career so we can have something to make of it in 10 years or so.....

All our hopes tied up in boxes?

 

[Goose17]

shhhhhh!

Don't say "cargo" and "boxes". Lets just refer to it as the "c-word" and the "b-word".

Goose17

 

[1-tacan-rule]

Hey FJ...

...don't think for one second we missed the capitalized "MAJOR" in your post. As a matter of fact, I believe your purpose for posting this was not really to tell about the Freight Dog pow-wow but to poke the: "we are too major airline pilots!" bruise that was starting to heal on these boards.

Just can't let it go, can you?

Now, if you purple and brown pilots did join forces, you could certainly build a workforce "deathstar" which would likely help steer freight pilot pay/work rules for the future....good on ya!

 

[Falconjet]

Yes: Imagine a brown and purple merger. That would be some paint scheme. Might actually be uglier than the DHL jets, but I doubt it.

FJ

 

[I'm42]

There's nothing wrong with Big Bird!!!