UPS Airline Mechanics Heat Up Talks With Strike Authorization

Airline maintenance technicians and other employees who service UPS Inc. aircraft have voted to authorize a strike after three years of contract talks. The vote does not indicate a strike is imminent but is meant to increase pressure in negotiations. Teamsters Local 2727 made the announcement Nov. 14 in a move that has little practical effect for the holiday season. 

UPS and the union representing the mechanics reached a stalemate recently over health care benefits. The two sides began talks three years ago. UPS, according to the union, proposes to increase health care costs for all Teamsters Local 2727 members by as much as 430% for retiree family coverage in just the first year of a new contract — with increases each year thereafter.

In total, 950 of the company’s 1,200 maintenance employees voted, and 98% of those workers voted in favor of a strike. They voted in October and November by mail-in ballot.

“We’re glad that UPS can afford to invest in beefing up its international fleet,” said Jim Kelley, a 29-year aircraft mechanic at UPS’ Louisville, Kentucky, gateway. “But if UPS can afford major capital investments and huge raises for top brass, then UPS can also choose to invest in the maintenance workers who do strenuous and dangerous work every day to make its success possible.”

“Dedicated aircraft maintenance workers are simply asking to keep the benefits they already have so they can keep UPS planes running effectively,” said Tim Boyle, union president.

Under the Railway Labor Act, a federal mediator must declare an impasse in negotiations and institute a “cooling off period," during which negotiations continue, before the union is allowed to strike. The law also empowers the National Mediation Board to control the pace, length and timing of negotiations.

“The vote is simply a routine show of solidarity common in many negotiations," said company spokesman Mike Mangeot. "The reality is, talks continue to progress under the control of the National Mediation Board. UPS continues to negotiate in good faith for a contract that is good for our employees, our customers and our company. We are confident talks will be completed successfully, just as they have during all previous negotiations with our mechanics.”

UPS ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers  and No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 50 list of the largest logistics companies in North America.