Crew Staffing: UPS/IPA Agree to Meet Next Week
At the Company’s request, UPS and IPA will continue discussions related to crew staffing concerns originally raised by the Company, particularly those involving the B747.
"The Company is seeking to paint this as a temporary problem limited to the 747, and nothing more,” said IPA President Bob Travis. “We disagree. The true problem is chronic and systemwide, affecting all fleets, seats and domiciles.”
Travis added that the Company’s 747 staffing fiasco just happens to be today’s headline, but that the root cause is a long-standing, faulty approach to both aircraft acquisition and pilot staffing by UPS senior management.
“Today it’s the 747, but tomorrow it will be another fleet, another domicile unless UPS fundamentally changes its approach,” he added.“Foot-dragging on aircraft orders and pilot hiring is not a solution. Attempting to violate the contract and getting caught is not a solution. When a crisis predictably occurs, to then expect every pilot to do the work of two pilots is not a long-term solution."
Regarding the discussions requested by UPS next week, Travis said that the IPA will remain focused on solutions that address the underlying staffing issues. “But members should keep in mind that we are dealing with UPS and that no progress will come quickly or easily--everything is a fight,” he added.
UPS would have you believe that this is a “747 only” issue. The EB reminds the membership that the IPA is fighting for ALL members, and will communicate with the membership as developments warrant.