UPS ANNOUNCES START OF RECALL
Good afternoon. This is IPA President Bob Travis with a special IPA information update for Tuesday, November 1.
I am pleased to inform you that UPS VP of Flight Operations Matt Capozzoli has announced today the Company’s decision to initiate the start of a recall of our furloughed crewmembers. The Company will begin by offering recall notices, in seniority order, to six (6) furloughees with the intent of having these six crewmembers back on the property, in a pay protected status, commencing on Sunday, December 4, 2011—the start of the 12-01 bid period.
In addition, UPS states that it is the Company’s intent (economic conditions permitting) to continue this action with additional recalls in future months until finally all furloughed UPS pilots are offered the opportunity to come back to work. The Company, however, has stated that the timing and pace of additional recalls will be determined by UPS based on their business needs.
Our work is obviously unfinished until all of our furloughed crewmembers are recalled, but let’s take a few seconds to savor the present moment, reflect on what brought us here, and then chart the course ahead.
This is indeed a good moment. While the Company’s initial recall notice is limited to six crewmembers, make no mistake, there are six IPA families that have received very good news indeed—especially in time for the holiday season. Our long awaited welcome back goes out to these families.
How did this come about? Credit goes to you and to every member of the IPA pilot group. What began as a potential furlough of 500 was reduced to 300 simply by the fact that our contract contains specific language allowing for the implementation of an IPA Solidarity Policy with respect to the voluntary non pick-up of open time and JA during periods of furlough. Our contractual language, combined with UPS’s knowledge that our group is strong and unified, brought down the planned number of furloughs initially thought feasible.
Even the Company, however, did not anticipate the extraordinary solidarity and unity shown by this group in rallying to protect our own. Faced with an IPA Solidarity Policy supported by virtually the entire membership, the announced plan to furlough 300 was cut back. The furlough was stopped, and the current number of official furloughees stands at 103.
Beginning in mid-August of this year, your Executive Board re-engaged UPS in a concerted effort to discuss options designed to lead to an eventual recall of our crewmembers. The discussions have been involved, and, out of necessity, confidential. Global economic concerns have complicated and slowed the discussions.
Today’s move does not immediately bring back every IPA furloughed crewmember which is, of course, our ultimate objective. Any celebration will not be complete until that day. But, today’s announcement does signal an important change in direction on the Company’s part. That change of direction, in itself, is good news and carries significance for our group.
UPS states that business conditions will dictate the timing and pace of any additional recalls. We agree that business conditions can impact staffing. But, your Executive Board believes that IPA’s response can play a supporting, critical role as well.
We believe that two programs: continuation of the IPA Solidarity Policy, and voluntary participation, by those who so desire, in the new Voluntary Time-Off Letter of Agreement can make a difference. We believe that 100% support of the IPA Solidarity Policy and solid participation by IPA volunteers for LOA programs (a desire indicated by over 80% of crewmembers in the contract survey,) will contribute to keeping the recall on track.
How are we doing? Very well thus far. The Solidarity Policy remains supported by virtually the entire membership. With regard to the LOA, solid support is being generated with volunteer sign-ups for the December/January bid closing today at 5:00 p.m. SDF time.
Finally, your Executive Board thanks every IPA member for their sacrifice. The furlough has represented one of the biggest challenges in our history. But through it all, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder, looking out for each other and will continue to do moving forward.
As we look across the industry, we know that other groups have not always fared as well. Too often, these groups have allowed internal divisions to tear apart their very fabric as they have attempted to react to “divide and conquer” management tactics.
IPA is different. We have every reason to be proud and every reason to remain united in defense of our profession and each member on our seniority list. Thank you.
Please join me in welcoming home six of our own with the hope that all of our remaining furloughed members will soon join them.
As always, fly safe, be professional, and remain united.
Click on the link below to view a video message from IPA President Bob Travis.