A strike may be in the works for UPS pilots.
An overwhelming majority of over 2,500 pilots for the largest transport operator in the U.S. recently authorized a strike after four years of negotiations. The 2,252-to-8 vote to approve a strike ended up granting the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) the ability to request a release from federally mediated talks with UPS and proceed to initiate a strike once discussions have ended. With the outcome of the vote, the IPA now enters the next round of negotiations with leverage in hand. The organization has the threat of strike authorization, as well as the support of UPS Teamsters, meaning that while a walkout isn't imminent, the threat of one – should talks not go the IPA's way – just became a lot more realistic.
"If a strike is necessary, we will not cross your lines, but will stand with you on them," James Hoffa, the Teamsters' general president, wrote in a letter to the IPA, according to a press release.
UPS unfazed by strike vote
UPS, meanwhile, has stated that it continues to negotiate with the pilots' organization in good faith, the Journal of Commerce (JOC) reported. The transport operator called the pilots' vote "symbolic" and "scripted." Talks between UPS and the IPA are scheduled in November and December, which means that while the pilots now have authorization to strike, actual action itself may still be months away, if it happens at all.
For now, this means the discussions between the IPA and UPS will go on as they have. For the pilots to strike, the organization would first have to receive permission from the National Mediation Board to walk away from talks with the employer. Due to the hoops the IPA has to jump through to kickstart a strike, UPS seems unconcerned about the recent vote to authorize a strike by the organization.
"UPS remains confident that we will reach a win-win agreement with our pilots," the company said. "Our customers remain in good hands as we enter our busy holiday season," the employer stated, according to the JOC.
Fed-Ex ratifies contract with its pilots
Fed-Ex, one of UPS's biggest competitors, meanwhile, recently ratified a six-year contract with its own pilots. In its statement on the ongoing negotiations with UPS, the IPA stated that the employer is "playing a risk game" while Fed-Ex has "delivered on-time." As the holiday season approaches, shippers are likely hoping that the scheduled discussions between the pilots and employer go smoothly – a strike during the busiest time of the year would not serve them well at all.