Astrike authorization ballot is on the cards at FedEx after pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) have stalemated with negotiations since October 2022. Negotiations opened in mid-2021 direct with the airline. However, FedEx and ALPA have been bargaining since October last year. Capt. Chair of the FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council, Chris Norman, provided this comment in the latest ALPA media statement:
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”At a time when our pilots should be joining our company in celebration of its 50th anniversary, we are instead forced to apply additional pressure to management to secure a new contract, we do not make a decision like this lightly, but we intend to send a strong and unified message to management that our pilots are willing to go the distance to achieve the contract we have earned.”
Norman emphasized the contributions pilots make to one of the world’s largest cargo carriers. ALPA has reiterated to the logistics powerhouse that it’s time to ‘get serious’ and conclude negotiations that all parties have agreed upon.
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The ballot
Requesting a ballot does not incur a strike. However, it will allow pilots to express their frustration or feelings about whether the union should strike against FedEx. Then, the National Mediation Board will be involved in whether fair discussion and mediation have been provided to all parties to find a resolution.
Should the mediation not provide a positive outcome, it can then go for arbitration, and a 30-day cooling-off period will ensue, after which the pilots could strike.
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“We have made progress in many sections of our contract, with the remaining items fitting on one term sheet. Our pilots have significantly contributed to FedEx’s success and allowed it to become a logistics powerhouse, and we are tired of management’s empty platitudes. It’s time for FedEx management to get serious at the bargaining table and conclude negotiations with an agreement our pilots will support.”
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Pilots remain united
The pilots at the cargo airline have continuously shown their support of the current negotiating committee and continued in solidarity at various picketing events across the United States. Norman noted: “This strike authorization ballot allows our pilots to tell management in no uncertain terms that it’s time to invest in us with a contract we have earned and will be proud to ratify.”
According to ALPA, FedEx has failed to acknowledge the contribution to the carrier’s success and believes that pilots should be able to quickly and positively negotiate salaries without action needing to go any further. As noted on the ALPA website:
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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.
Given that FedEx remained highly active during the depths of the pandemic, connecting cargo across the globe, it is unlikely that the success was not achieved by all those who contributed to delivering life-saving supplies.
