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.

 

Good luck to you Amerijet guys!

 

Good luck y'all.

 

Good luck guys!

 

Just curious to all the old head ALPA members if Amerijet does walk, can other union cargo pilots fly their freight or is that considered crossing a picket line? It would seem like if I fly their cargo, I am doing their work. That would seem like I crossed a line somewhere. Thoughts?

 

This ALPA cargo pilot believes that carrying their freight when they are on strike would be crossing a picket line. I won't do it and I hope no one else would.

 

In the past the freight is considered a struck good. If I know its on the plane I would have it removed, the problem will be in the knowing. The Amerijet pilots would have to see it being done and call my union who hopefully would call me. In the old days a guy would just walk across the ramp, security probably would stop that now, or the loaders would tell the crew.
IPA pilots have in the past, via our union, let UPS know if they want an airplane to not move or be delayed just put struck freight on the flight.

 

Scary time and good luck to you guys!

 

As a former Amerijet'r, I wish you all nothing but the best.
fbh

 

You hate to see it come to it, but it is nice to see the process working as written for the first time in a long time. Good luck on your contract.