Freighter Captain

(snipped)

The negotiations this week ultimately failed because United Parcel
Service remains unwilling to recognize the contribution of this pilot
group to the success of the operation. It is our belief that a 30 day
cooling off period will clarify the thinking of all parties. Now, more
than ever, is the time for absolute and total unity among the pilot
group. Divided we cannot win--united we cannot fail. We will remain
united and we will win--let there be no doubt.

EIGHTMENOUT1

They "failed" due to the greed of the pilots

captain_drew

Oh TRIPE !! What a sack of horse manure!

They failed because management has NEVER negotiated in GOOD FAITH -and THEY are the greedy ones!

The pilots are a significant cog in allowing the corporation to earn MASSIVE amounts of profit and they DESERVE to earn a fair wage, benefits and to have work rules befitting their contribution to the bottom line.

UPS pilots to seek release from mediation
Thu Dec 22, 2005 05:45 PM ET
CHICAGO, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The union representing pilots at United Parcel Service (UPS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday that it will request release from mediation with UPS after 38 months of talks.

UPS and the Independent Pilots Association, which represents the company's 2,700 pilots, held four days of talks ending Thursday afternoon in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on finalizing a contract dispute that began in October 2002.

The talks in Green Bay were overseen by the National Mediation Board, an independent government agency.

The IPA warned in advance that if UPS did not reach a deal by Dec. 23, the association would seek release from mediation.

"This is not a step we take lightly," said Captain Tom Nicholson, the IPA's president, in a statement.

Nicholson said that the talks had failed due to a lack of agreement over $40 million.

"UPS has made the decision to risk our customers' business and its investors' money," he said.

Unresolved contract issues include health-care premiums, pensions and the pace of wage increases. The union has also cited the possible use of overseas pilots as a concern.

The IPA said that if released from mediation this would result in a 30-day countdown to a strike or lockout at UPS.

The shipping company handles an average of 14 million packages a day and if a strike actually occurred analysts have said the result would be chaos.

UPS spokesman Mark Giuffre said the company had no indication from the NMB mediator that "either party would be released from mediation."

"We feel that progress was made during the talks and we are waiting for feedback from the mediator," he said.

Giuffre added that the IPA's statement was a fresh attempt "to stir up concern among customers that services would be disrupted."

"There will be no disruption of service," he said.

UPS has said its pilots' wages and benefits are among the best in the industry.

The average UPS pilot receives a gross salary of $175,000, while captains receive an average of $223,000, Giuffre said.

"We have offered a contract that includes increases on every front from wages, to benefits, scheduling and pensions," he said.

"We feel it's a generous offer and we look forward to hearing the response of the IPA," he said.


© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Sasquatch

Fred Smith was asked years ago if he worried about competitor UPS. He responded that he'll start worrying about UPS when they start treating their employees better. Guess things aren't about to change anytime too soon.

EIGHTMENOUT1

The typical airline pilot (cargo included) is so out of touch with reality that it is ridiculous.

Don't you think that UPS has been planning for a strike by the IPA for years?

Believe it, if there is a strike, it will be the end of the IPA. The company will not give in past a certain point. If the IPA strikes, there are plenty of replacements out there and many, many IPA pilots will cross the picket lines within 10-14 days. Also, the Teamsters will cheer you on but will not stay out very long.

Don't take the risk----you will regret it!!

Diesel 10

Eight, it sounds to me like you have pilot envy. Besides writing at the level of an eighth grader

EIGHTMENOUT1

I don't have pilot envy because I am one. I have the best job in the world: I can fly, make more money than you do, and I can give you guys check rides!

Kill Bill

isn't this the same nimrod scab that posted under another name?

TonyC

Shouldn't you be busy on the Chemtrails websites?







.

UPSDISPATCHER

Giuffre added that the IPA's statement was a fresh attempt "to stir up concern among customers that services would be disrupted." "There will be no disruption of service," he said.

Not this was ever much of a concern, but I'm glad to hear UPS will finally agree to what the pilots deserve. It is unfortunate that they've pushed the IPA into a corner and will force them into a cooling off period. UPS, being publicly traded on the stock market, can't risk a strike now and everyone knows it. However, they will probably wait until the 11th hour to sign in an attempt to make the IPA out to be the bad guys, and also try to drive a wedge between IPA and the other unions at UPS. Nice try, but the IPA will win.

ATEMENOUT1: I really don't think you're a management pilot, or a pilot at all for that matter. Most likely UPS management, perhaps even labor, but you couldn't possibly be that naive and still hold an ATP. However, I would like to extend a sincere "thank you" for showing those outside of our company what we see on a daily basis; for showing us the true face of UPS leadership and character. The reason I mentioned labor is because they are good at what they do......and this is what they do!