FedEx Categorical pilots, administration file for mediation By Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -FedEx Categorical pilots and administration on Wednesday mentioned they’ve collectively filed for federal mediation with the Nationwide Mediation Board for help with contract negotiations that started in Might 2021.

The Air Line Pilots Affiliation (ALPA) mentioned the submitting is critical to hunt expedited mediation beneath the Railway Labor Act. Greater than 100 off-duty FedEx pilots held an informational picket in New York final week.

Each side mentioned they’ve efficiently resolved 8 of 12 contract sections however the union mentioned “important gaps stay in essential financial sections together with retirement and pay charges.”

FedEx Categorical, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp (NYSE:), mentioned the events have “solely a handful of unresolved points within the remaining open sections.”

FedEx Categorical added that mediation could have no affect on firm operations or its means to offer service.

“We’re optimistic that involvement of a federal mediator will help the events in expediting the negotiation course of and, in the end, resolving the few remaining points,” mentioned FedEx Categorical Senior Vice President for Air Operations Don Dillman.

He mentioned that the corporate is hopeful mediation will assist “attain an settlement that’s honest and affordable to pilots, different FedEx workers, our clients, and our stakeholders.”

Capt. Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA Grasp Government Council, mentioned, “Though we’re disenchanted with administration’s proposals, we stay ready to work with FedEx beneath the auspices of federal mediation to realize a contract that acknowledges the collective contributions of FedEx pilots.”

He added, “With peak delivery season across the nook, it’s crucial that administration totally commits to reaching a brand new pilot contract.”

Numerous airways are at present in contract talks with pilots.