Amerijet pilots released
On July 27, 2009, the National Mediation Board released the pilots at Amerijet International from government-sponsored mediation. Effective at 12:01am, August 27, 2009, the pilots, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 769, are free to seek self-help.
This release was granted after five years of fruitless negotiations. In the Spring of 2009, the pilots had their pay slashed 10%, and all 401k company contributions were eliminated. The management at Amerijet have done everything in their power to keep from signing a first contract with the IBT, and refused to ever bargain with the pilot group in good faith. What the future holds is anybody's guess.
This small labor action affects everyone in the industry. An Amerijet pilot makes ten percent less money now than he did in 1998, not even factoring in cost of living and inflation. Amerijet has leased several aircraft, and will replace the leased ABX aircraft with their own (formerly ABX) B-767's. If there is a labor action, Amerijet will not hesitate to contract other cargo carriers to move their freight.