FedEx pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), have announced that they have reached a tentative agreement (TA) with the express group's management on an amended collective bargaining agreement.
'The parties have been actively negotiating since 2011 under a special interim discussions agreement that had originally been made by both parties to assist in narrowing the field of open items in order to conclude formal bargaining in a timely manner,' ALPA said.
Formal bargaining began in January 2013 when Section 6 openers were exchanged with management. On 31 October, 2014, FedEx management filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB), and negotiations have been conducted under NMB guidance.
The new agreement is subject to review and finalization of contract language. Terms of the tentative agreement are not being released, as they first must be reviewed and approved by the FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC). If approved by the FedEx MEC leadership, the TA will be subject to a ratification vote of over 4,000 FedEx pilots. If ratified, the contract would become amendable in 2021.
“We have been engaged in negotiations for quite some time, with a strong commitment from our negotiators, professional staff, subject-matter experts and our elected representatives. We also recognize the support provided by the National Mediation Board,” said FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council chairman Captain Chuck Dyer.
He continued : 'The process has not always been easy, but our pilots and their families remained steadfast in their support of our Negotiating Committee. The MEC has a rigorous process when it comes to evaluating these types of agreements, and we look forward to fully vetting this tentative agreement.'
News of the tentative agreement between ALPA and FedEx drew comment from the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) which represents UPS' pilots.
'We congratulate our pilot peers and FedEx on reaching a new tentative collective bargaining agreement. While we have not seen the details, the IPA will refrain from commenting on the merits of the tentative agreement until the ALPA ratification process has been completed,' said the IPA's President, Captain Robert Travis.
'If approved, however, the FedEx pilot contract will bring labor peace to our largest competitor. In sharp contrast, UPS management has created a bitter standoff with its pilot employees, unnecessarily dragging out contract talks for four years. UPS must not allow itself to be left behind by FedEx.
'The IPA calls on UPS management to work with its pilots to expeditiously achieve an agreement,' he added.
