ARE TIMES THIS BAD????
Reuters, 02.07.03, 11:10 PM ET
NEW YORK, Feb 7 (Reuters) - United Parcel Service Inc, the world's biggest package carrier, said it could temporarily ground 100 pilots as it struggles with a drop in deliveries in the soft economy, a company spokesman told Reuters on Friday.
While the Atlanta, Georgia-based company reported a rise in quarterly profits last Tuesday on strength in its overseas business, deliveries once again dropped in the United States.
"We have a surplus of 100 crew members," company spokesman Mark Giuffre told Reuters. "We are working with the union on voluntary separation or voluntary leaves of absence, but otherwise furloughs may be necessary."
Giuffre said the decision could be made by the end of next week. The 100 pilots represent about four percent of the company's 2,515 pilots, he said.
A representative for the union could not immediately be reached for comment. UPS has been negotiating a new contract with its pilots since last fall.
In addition to the soft economy which has hurt shipping volume, the company's conversion to more technologically advanced aircraft has removed the need for some positions, Giuffre said.
He said newer airplanes require only two, rather than three crew members, because a computer does the work of one.
Copyright 2003, Reuters News Service
Reuters, 02.07.03, 11:10 PM ET
NEW YORK, Feb 7 (Reuters) - United Parcel Service Inc, the world's biggest package carrier, said it could temporarily ground 100 pilots as it struggles with a drop in deliveries in the soft economy, a company spokesman told Reuters on Friday.
While the Atlanta, Georgia-based company reported a rise in quarterly profits last Tuesday on strength in its overseas business, deliveries once again dropped in the United States.
"We have a surplus of 100 crew members," company spokesman Mark Giuffre told Reuters. "We are working with the union on voluntary separation or voluntary leaves of absence, but otherwise furloughs may be necessary."
Giuffre said the decision could be made by the end of next week. The 100 pilots represent about four percent of the company's 2,515 pilots, he said.
A representative for the union could not immediately be reached for comment. UPS has been negotiating a new contract with its pilots since last fall.
In addition to the soft economy which has hurt shipping volume, the company's conversion to more technologically advanced aircraft has removed the need for some positions, Giuffre said.
He said newer airplanes require only two, rather than three crew members, because a computer does the work of one.
Copyright 2003, Reuters News Service
