Aircraft mechanics at UPS are again threatening strike action following four years ofunsuccessful talks over a new contract and no deal despite mediation since last year.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division last week sent a request to theNational Mediation Board that it release UPS aircraft mechanics from contract negotiations aftermore than four years of bargaining without reaching an agreement.
“UPS aircraft mechanics simply want a fair agreement that recognises we have been without a newcontract since 2006,” said Robert Combine, UPS aircraft mechanic and President of Teamsters Local2727 in Louisville, where the company’s main US air hub is located.
“Our company has made substantial profits since 2006, even considering the economic downturnlast year, yet UPS has been unwilling to make a reasonable settlement offer, especially on thequestions of job security for our members against foreign outsourcing and protecting our healthbenefits,” he added. “The IBT has put forward a reasonable proposal to serve as a basis for finalsettlement, but UPS has refused to do the same,” he claimed. “We hope this action will persuade UPSto finally make the good faith effort to resolve our long dispute.”
Under the terms of the Railway Labour Act, the IBT has requested that the National MediationBoard release UPS and its aircraft mechanics from mediation and make a proffer of bindingarbitration. Either party may reject that offer of arbitration, which would then trigger a 30-day “cooling off” period countdown to a potential strike.
Concerning the potential for a strike at UPS, Combine stated, “UPS’ aircraft mechanics votedoverwhelmingly in favour of a strike if the company refused to make a reasonable contract offer. Wedo not wish to go out on strike. But UPS will leave us no choice if it insists on itsunreasonable position.”
In September 2009, about 90% of the 1,052 UPS aircraft mechanics voting in a ballot approvedgiving the Teamsters leadership authority to call a strike if necessary over the dispute. There areabout 1,200 aircraft mechanics at UPS.
“The IBT and its 1.4 million members, including over 200,000 Teamsters at UPS, stand stronglybehind the Teamster UPS aircraft mechanics in their effort for a fair agreement,” stated Capt.David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. “More than four years of unsuccessfulbargaining is far too long. That’s why we were compelled to ask the National Mediation Boardto move this dispute to the final stage in an effort to push the company to a reasonable deal.”
The aircraft mechanics also have the support of UPS pilots. Independent Pilot AssociationPresident Bob Thrush said he believes that the NMB should grant the release and that UPS has notbeen bargaining in good faith. “IPA fully supports Local 2727’s endeavours to get thebest contract in the industry,” he stated.
