UPS pilots union seeks strike approval
UPS pilots union seeks strike approval
Fri Mar 25, 2005 11:59 AM ET
NEW YORK, March 25 (Reuters) - The union management representing pilots of United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said it would seek approval from its 2,500 crewmembers for a possible strike after the latest round of negotiations ended without a new contract.
UPS has been in talks with its pilots association for about two years. The two parties had been working with a mediator who had set the end of March as a targeted date for reaching a new contract. The final round of scheduled mediated negotiations ended Thursday with no agreement.
UPS said in a statement that the mediator has scheduled additional mediation dates for weeks beginning May 16 and May 23, which means that "there is no threat of a strike and a strike authorization vote means nothing at this time."
The company said the negotiations continue to show progress.
Tom Nicholson, president of the Independent Pilots Association, said in a statement that the two sides are only "slightly closer" on retirement, benefits and compensation issues than when they began the process eight months ago.