UPS Mechanics
 

Teamsters Union Requests That NMB Release UPS Aircraft Mechanics From Mediation and Begin Countdown to Potential Strike

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division this week sent a request to the National Mediation Board that it release the aircraft mechanics of United Parcel Service from contract negotiations after more than four years of bargaining without reaching an agreement.

"UPS' aircraft mechanics simply want a fair agreement that recognizes we have been without a new contract since 2006," said Robert Combine, UPS aircraft mechanic and President of Teamsters Local 2727 in Louisville, KY. Combine continued, "Our Company has made substantial profits since 2006, even considering the economic downturn last year; yet UPS has been unwilling to make a reasonable settlement offer, especially on the questions of job security for our members against foreign outsourcing and protecting our health benefits."

"The IBT has put forward a reasonable proposal to serve as a basis for final settlement, but UPS has refused to do the same," Combine explained.

Under the terms of the Railway Labor Act, the IBT has requested that the National Mediation Board release UPS and its aircraft mechanics from mediation and make a proffer of binding arbitration. Either party may reject that offer of arbitration, which would then trigger a 30-day "cooling off" period countdown to a potential strike.

Concerning the potential for a strike at UPS, Combine stated, "UPS' aircraft mechanics voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike if the company refused to make a reasonable contract offer. We do not wish to go out on strike. But UPS will leave us no choice if it insists on its unreasonable position."

"The IBT and its 1.4 million members, including over 200,000 Teamsters at UPS, stand strongly behind the Teamster UPS aircraft mechanics in their effort for a fair agreement," stated Capt. David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division. "More than four years of unsuccessful bargaining is far too long. That's why we were compelled to ask the National Mediation Board to move this dispute to the final stage in an effort to push the Company to a reasonable deal."

Local 2727 is pleased to have the support of the UPS Pilots. Independent Pilot Association President Bob Thrush believes that the NMB should grant the release and that UPS has not been bargaining in good faith and moving on this like they should. "This is one of the tools available for Local 2727 to expedite the process and hopefully get the contract they deserve." President Thrush stated that the "IPA fully supports Local 2727's endeavors to get the best contract in the industry."

Combine concluded, "We hope this action will persuade UPS to finally make the good faith effort to resolve our long dispute."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.


SOURCE Teamsters Local 2727

Best of luck to you guys!

Many people will be watching this one!

so what?
 

Requesting doesn't mean squat. NMB can say no and the mediator can send both sides back to their respective corners for a while.......now if it's granted things are going to get interesting.

I'm kinda under the impression that Obama owes the IBT something. If not this, what?

Hope...that's all he promised....me, i think he would have had a better campaign if he used the "audacity of results slogan"....:p

Actually...it's now or never...GL Mechs!!

Don't believe for a second that the mechanics will be released anytime soon.

One of the reasons political chatter is limited here is that a great deal of money changes hands amid a climate of backslapping and gladhanding without much to show for it if history is used to judge the results. It has served to enrich the gladhanders, but it really hasn't helped the people who payed in hopes of a favor. The words "equal justice for all" come to mind, but I guess that may be just a quaint platitude.

From the tone of the press release, it sounds like the leadership at UPS has put all their eggs in one basket, expecting the NMB will release them.

Word is that the NMB recently parked them since they were not making progress. That said, I wouldn't bet the ranch that the NMB will reverse themselves by issuing a proffer.

Here's hoping for the best for the mechanics. I sure as heck hope their leadership has a "plan B" ready if the NMB says "no."

NMB did say "no":

UPS: Mediators deny Teamsters' strike countdown request | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

Kinda intersting that UPS/IBT are arm in-arm about the proposed legislation regarding the change of rules for the FDX drivers, however; they have locked horns in gettting through the nego process.

Saving a few pennies while throwing away dollars.

As an A&P mechanic and a pilot, I say ***, I guess i need more details than the above article. The highest paying job I have had is 26.87 an hour. 43 an hour is more than what typical pilots make. I mean seriously over 80g's a year and thats if you dont work overtime. Also not having to pay into a health care package.... Jeez.... what more could they possibly be asking for?

To get to keep it. Every contract offer from UPS has been concessionary.
Our mechanics aren't typical and the only typical pilots who are paid that little fly for the commuters.

I guess I am old and cynical... $43 is not enough for a skilled mech. For UPS you need five years turbine exp before they will consider you. Two years to earn the ticket plus five equal seven years of training / apprentice to get in the door... another five years to reach top of the scale.. twelve years total. $43 is not enough. I am sorry, but mechanics are very guilty of selling themselves short. I was a regional pilot and airline mech for many years so I have done the low pay myself. My first airline job paid $6/hr. Do you think the pax would have been ok with a $6/hr mech R&R'ing an engine on their aircraft (first flight of the day)?
$43 is not enough!

I agree with this completely.

Whatever!! Our mechs make near 100k and are compensated rather nicely. They are not asking for more money as they know they are at the top of the industry. They want job guarantees and they are wise for making that a top issue. I bet they'll kick in a little for health care though.

Just because you want to sell your skills on the cheap doesn't mean other skilled A@P's should. I personally have 25 yrs experience on DC-9, DC-10, MD-11, A320, 727, 757, 777. I think and I expect to be compensated accordingly for my experience and I am as a maintenence controller. Companies do not appreciate it they think a mechanic is a mechanic...But someone who has experience is really worth his weight in gold. But good luck getting any airline to acknowledge that.

I thought 43 an hour was base for all mechs.... thats how I read it anyways.... Makes sense if it is the top of the pay scale.

I've done the low paying job as well, 13 an hour to overhaul the big Rolls Royce engines. Luckily I am about as multifaceted as a Mechanic can be. I am qualified to work on just about any turbine helicopter in the industry, and I also hold the Maintenance officer position for a local fixed wing flying club. I hold an FCC Avionics license with Radar endorsement. I also have nearly 1700 hours of flight time as a Crew Chief/Flight Engineer on helicopters, with about 1/3rd of that being 1 to 2 hour test flights at a time. And as I said before, Im a PPL progressing to Comercial all on my own dime. I broke 100 g's in 09 and I'm only 27 years old.

I agree a contract for employment would be nice, but honestly where in any industry can you find that kind of contract in the states. I currently live and work in Europe, and have spent most of the last 2 years here. They have rules and contracts here, they give 6 weeks vacation, and 2 weeks sick time, and paid medical to all employees, but this comes at a cost of 50% of their income going to German taxes.

I dont agree with holding out and striking so they can have a lifetime contract. No one else in the States gets this privilege, what makes them so special?

I understand your resentment and jealousy but how can you say no one else gets this privledge? 1 out of 5 employees in the US are government employees and I will bet the majority have a gig that good.

Good luck to the mechs I hope they can get what ever they can get. As should you, it would improve the earning potential of all mechanics.

You think those job benefits in Europe just appeared out of thin air, without any organized labor action?

My job in Europe is with a US company that can, and have, laid me off with a drop of a hat, comes with the territory of the pay. I dont get over time until I work 48 hours in a week, I only get 2 weeks vacation and have to vest to get that, if they lay me off, the clock starts over. I pay quite a bit for health care for my family as well. But you wont catch me complaining because i am lucky. 1) I have a job in this economy. 2) It provides for me and my family. 3) I make enough to pay for my flight time and still be very well off.

Europeans dont make as much in pay, but get better benefits.... thats my point, get a contract for so many years then take a pay cut knowing you are safe with a job, and good benefits. It seems like the UPS teamsters want their cake and to eat it to.

They work for a company that made 11.7 BBBBillion in revenue for the THREE months ended March 31, 2010...and this was an off Quarter... Management received reinstatement of bonuses and 401k, and the CEO received what was reported as a huge stock bonus increses.

Does it sound like the company can't afford the reported $80 million gap in negos, or are they trying to wear the mechanics down in a war of attrition.

Yep, the guy that turns a wrench on the plane that keeps me is safe, yep he/she is special.

UPS chief’s total compensation rises 6.2 percent to $5.5M in 2009, compared to 2008

Glad to see you appreciate your mechanics...The NW flyboys save a few could care less about theirs they seemed to have no problems with scabs working on theirs.

We currently have mechanics we can trust to have the knowledge to do the job right and they have an organization to make sure that the company doesn't force them to cut corners. I hope our mechanics understand they have our support.

LOL....sounds like if you need to reduce your vacation down to about a week and start getting overtime at around 80 hours. I think you should pay about ten percent more for your healthcare and get furloughed once a month so you can "start over". And when you agree to that, since your so lucky, we'll talk about more cuts next year!

or....you could work your ass off, become a respected, experienced mechanic and join a union that demands the best contract in the business! UPS pilots are very fortunate that their mechanics are some of the best and most will be staying their entire careers.

you have a total grasp of what is expected by mgt.