UPS Reaches Tentative Five-Year Deal With Pilots Union
UPS Inc. reached a tentative agreement with the pilots union on a five-year labor contract after protracted negotiations over the last several years. Details of the agreement will not be released until it is presented to the UPS pilots.
The deal “provides for improvements across all sections of the contract”, according to a joint press release from the union and the Atlanta-based parcel carrier.
UPS ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
“This tentative agreement has been unanimously approved and endorsed by both the IPA Executive Board and our Negotiating Committee. Over the next month we will present it to our members with an unqualified recommendation for ratification,” said Independent Pilots Association President Captain Robert Travis, who represents a majority of the 2,600 pilots.
The pilots will vote Aug. 31 and, if approved, it would take effect Sept. 1, according to the release.
“This is an excellent offer and we are pleased to have reached this agreement,” said Brendan Canavan, UPS Airlines president. “This contract rewards our crew members for their outstanding contributions and contains provisions that protect UPS’ ability to deliver competitive service to our global customers.”
In April, the union claimed it was at an impasse with UPS over work rules, specifically the issue of pilot fatigue. IPA pushed for new rules on fatigue similar to those the Federal Aviation Administration issued for the passenger airlines, especially after the National Transportation Safety Board found pilot fatigue to be a factor in a 2013 UPS plane crash in Alabama.
The union even opened up a strike operation center in Louisville, Kentucky, although under the Railway Labor Act only a mediator can release the two sides from talks and authorize a possible strike on major disputes.
If ratified, the new contract will be allowed to be renegotiated on Sep. 1, 2021.
