IPA prez letter to UPS chief pilot
SENT VIA FAX TRANSMISSION AND CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED TO:
Capt. Rick Barr
UPS Chief Pilot
911 Grade Ln Bldg #2
Louisville KY 40213
Dear Captain Barr:
This letter is to formally request that UPS provide the Association with a comprehensive, written contract proposal that represents the Company’s “last, best and final offer.”
Our intent is to evaluate this proposal, and then to mail it to our membership for a ratification vote. In the event we have questions or find flaws in the proposal, our intention is to request a resumption of mediation for the purpose of settling any outstanding issues on an expedited basis.
The reason for our request is simple. After 32 months of bargaining, the parties have a responsibility to bring these talks to closure. To do otherwise is to continue a disservice to your pilot employees, customers and shareholders. It is therefore our request that the Company present a comprehensive written proposal to us by the close of business on Friday, July 1, 2005.
Following the July 4th weekend, it is our hope that we can quickly move to a ratification vote that would be concluded sometime in August. In the absence of a comprehensive written contract offer from UPS, the Association intends to place highlights from the latest UPS “table positions” before the pilot group for their review. Paired with this would be a second and final strike authorization ballot. In the event the pilot group approves this course of action, the Association will subsequently request a release from the National Mediation Board.
It is not now, nor has it ever been, the Association’s desire to strike. We want a negotiated settlement and a contract. However, the Company’s actions of this week leave us with no alternative other than to wait indefinitely for an acceptable offer, or to take the course of action described above.
Your assistance in helping to move the process forward is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Capt. Tom Nicholson
IPA President
TN/blm
cc: Linda Puchala, NMB
Brian McCabe, UPS
Michael Eskew, UPS