FedEx Pilot Leaders Approve Strike Authorization Vote
On February 17th FedEx pilot leaders unanimously passed a resolution authorizing FedEx ALPA Chair Captain Chris Norman to call for a strike authorization vote when the appropriate time is determined. This step has been endorsed by ALPA President Captain Jason Ambrosi. A strike would only happen if negotiations break down and the federal government authorizes a walkout after the parties exhaust the required procedures of the Railway Labor Act. The National Mediation Board (NMB) would have to release the two sides from mediation. Then, after a 30-day cooling off period, both parties could exercise self-help - including a strike by the union or a lockout by the company.
FedEx has failed to acknowledge pilot contributions and FedEx pilots are prepared to take this fight to the Company. This announcement should also alert FedEx customers that should FedEx pilots be unable to successfully conclude negotiations, they should be planning alternative means in the event pilots must strike.
FedEx pilots have been in negotiations with FedEx management since May 2021 including expedited federal mediation with the National Mediation Board. Despite its commitment to a focused bargaining and agenda, FedEx has squandered time and opportunity to bring forth a satisfactory comprehensive proposal to its pilots. Meanwhile, other airline pilot groups have reached agreements with their pilots bringing badly needed post-pandemic stability.
There is no doubt about the performance of FedEx pilots. For the past 50 years, FedEx pilots helped build the Company by delivering exceptional and reliable service to its customers around the world. During the pandemic FedEx pilots flew across an uncertain globe keeping the world economy intact. FedEx pilots met the demand needed to supply the world with lifesaving supplies and equipment while being exposed to risks that many were able to avoid. FedEx management will not be permitted to disregard how we got here.
There is no complexity to this situation. The items that remain between the Airline Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) and FedEx are so few, they can fit onto a single sheet of paper. FedEx management needs to make a comprehensive proposal which respects its most vital employees and brings stability as FedEx fights to maintain its role as a global leader.
NOW IS THE TIME for FedEx to deliver a new pilot contract.