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World Released
World Airways pilots move closer to strike
Peachtree City carrier's military flights would continue
By DAVE HIRSCHMAN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/30/05 The National Mediation Board will allow World Airways pilots to strike as soon as the end of January, but picketers wouldn't ground the Peachtree City-based carrier's largest customer — the U.S. military.
The NMB released World and its pilots from deadlocked contract talks on Wednesday and started the 30-day countdown toward a possible strike, lockout or imposed contract terms.
Peachtree City-based World Airways' largest customer is the military, for which it shuttles soldiers to and from the Middle East. Those flights wouldn't be affected by a pilot strike.
We offered signing bonuses and wage improvements over three years, but the union's negotiating committee rejected our offer," said Steve Forsyth, spokesman for the air charter firm. "We requested a release from mediation, and so did they."
World shuttles soldiers to and from the Middle East almost continuously, and about 70 percent of its revenue comes from military charters. The airline said those flights would go on — even if pilots strike.
"Our contracts have a provision that prevents pilots from striking our military business," Forsyth said. "Those flights won't be interrupted."
World expects to collect more than $22 million in operating income this year. The company has about 1,500 employees and has brought in record profits in the last two years, largely because of military charters.
Galen Munroe, a spokesman for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents World's 430 fliers, confirmed that pilots would continue to operate the lucrative military flights, even if they walk out on the rest.
"Pilots are prepared to fly military charters," he said, adding the union will verify the company isn't shifting other business to military flights.
World operates 17 MD-11 and DC-10 aircraft in both passenger and cargo configurations, but its military flights carry passengers only. World's all-white planes are frequent visitors at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where they take soldiers to and from the war zone almost daily.
Pilot pay ranges from $45 to $138 an hour at World, according to airlinepilotcentral.com, a Web site that tracks pilot wages. Their contract became amendable in 2003, and a union spokesman said pilots are seeking improved wages and benefits.
Carrier has prospered since 9/11
While most passenger airlines have languished in the four years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks plunged the industry into its worst economic crisis ever, World has prospered. Military charters have surged with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most of the company's contracts require customers — not the airline — to pay skyrocketing fuel bills.
World also flies cargo for a variety of customers and moves passengers for tour operators. Such flights account for about half of the hours World aircraft fly but only 30 percent of its revenue.
Pilots at cargo carriers UPS and FedEx also are locked in long and contentious contract talks with their managers. The NMB denied a request by UPS pilots Wednesday to be released from mediation after more than three years of talks.
Munroe of the Teamsters said he expects one more meeting with the company before the end of a 30-day countdown toward a possible strike on Jan. 28.
"We anticipate the NMB will bring the two parties back together before the deadline," he said. Forsyth said the company also wants a settlement.
"We still hope to reach an agreement before the end of the [30-day] cooling-off period," he said. "But no talks are scheduled."
World Airways pilots move closer to strike
Peachtree City carrier's military flights would continue
By DAVE HIRSCHMAN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/30/05 The National Mediation Board will allow World Airways pilots to strike as soon as the end of January, but picketers wouldn't ground the Peachtree City-based carrier's largest customer — the U.S. military.
The NMB released World and its pilots from deadlocked contract talks on Wednesday and started the 30-day countdown toward a possible strike, lockout or imposed contract terms.
Peachtree City-based World Airways' largest customer is the military, for which it shuttles soldiers to and from the Middle East. Those flights wouldn't be affected by a pilot strike.
We offered signing bonuses and wage improvements over three years, but the union's negotiating committee rejected our offer," said Steve Forsyth, spokesman for the air charter firm. "We requested a release from mediation, and so did they."
World shuttles soldiers to and from the Middle East almost continuously, and about 70 percent of its revenue comes from military charters. The airline said those flights would go on — even if pilots strike.
"Our contracts have a provision that prevents pilots from striking our military business," Forsyth said. "Those flights won't be interrupted."
World expects to collect more than $22 million in operating income this year. The company has about 1,500 employees and has brought in record profits in the last two years, largely because of military charters.
Galen Munroe, a spokesman for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents World's 430 fliers, confirmed that pilots would continue to operate the lucrative military flights, even if they walk out on the rest.
"Pilots are prepared to fly military charters," he said, adding the union will verify the company isn't shifting other business to military flights.
World operates 17 MD-11 and DC-10 aircraft in both passenger and cargo configurations, but its military flights carry passengers only. World's all-white planes are frequent visitors at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where they take soldiers to and from the war zone almost daily.
Pilot pay ranges from $45 to $138 an hour at World, according to airlinepilotcentral.com, a Web site that tracks pilot wages. Their contract became amendable in 2003, and a union spokesman said pilots are seeking improved wages and benefits.
Carrier has prospered since 9/11
While most passenger airlines have languished in the four years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks plunged the industry into its worst economic crisis ever, World has prospered. Military charters have surged with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most of the company's contracts require customers — not the airline — to pay skyrocketing fuel bills.
World also flies cargo for a variety of customers and moves passengers for tour operators. Such flights account for about half of the hours World aircraft fly but only 30 percent of its revenue.
Pilots at cargo carriers UPS and FedEx also are locked in long and contentious contract talks with their managers. The NMB denied a request by UPS pilots Wednesday to be released from mediation after more than three years of talks.
Munroe of the Teamsters said he expects one more meeting with the company before the end of a 30-day countdown toward a possible strike on Jan. 28.
"We anticipate the NMB will bring the two parties back together before the deadline," he said. Forsyth said the company also wants a settlement.
"We still hope to reach an agreement before the end of the [30-day] cooling-off period," he said. "But no talks are scheduled."
