OK, CTR..

But there are other ways to help. In 1997, while flying for the only IBT or even union subcontractor the day the UPS IBT Strike started, I, too, was advised by my union, the IBT, that since we had no contract yet, that we would be required to fly UPS IBT Struck goods..

It was a quandry, and the IPA hadn't yet put out a definition of struck work/struck goods... In fact, the IPA released a taped message on their strike hotline that they understood the dire situation faced by the non-union pilots at Pork Chop Air and that this flying was temporarily "OK". But after 2 weeks into the strike, when the IPA realized that the subcontractors and UPS management flying was allowing UPS to wait out the strike and telling the news that the hub was still working and that planes were moving and boxes being delivered, that is when they put out a "Definition of Struck Work". They said that, even for subcontractors, any flying of UPS freight would be considered struck work, and that "all men of good conscience" should not fly UPS struck goods. Or risk your name being put on a list. UPS even went to court to try to prevent the IPA from keeping a scab list. They failed, subcontractors refused to fly, and with no lift and the UPS SDF ramp looking like the beaches of Dunquerque, UPS capitulated.

So, with the instruction and approval of both the IPT and the IPA, we, sadly, did fly IBT struck goods during the first 2 weeks of the UPS Teamsters Strike...

But here's how we helped: We asked for full approaches into and out of SDF (which you could do at CVG, ILN, ABE, and elsewhere), we taxiied at 4 knots when flying UPS packages (UPS actually had Management people with radar guns along the taxiiways to identify their crews that were taxiing too slow during the run up before the strike). When ATC offered DIRECT SDF, we asked for flight plan route only. And we coordinated with the IPA by phone or radio on where we were headed and with how much. We threw every fly we possibly could into the ointment.

Here's an example of how you can help, or at least how I helped when forced by my union to fly struck goods: On the first night of UPS strike, we had just dropped automotive cargo somewhere and were directed to fly to BOS, then to our base SDF. We were nauseated because we knew that this was a UPS trip. Since we had been directed by our Union, the IBT 747, to fly, we had to but did every thing in our power to delay the trip. When we taxiied into the UPS ramp in BOS, we could see the picket signs on the other side of the fence and could hear the picketers. The UPS BOS base manager very quickly walked out to our to our aircraft with just one box (I think of some critical payroll checks that just HAD to make it in time for the sort). He asked us if we were ready to go and we said "no", and that we still had to get fuel and use his phone to file a flight plan (Which was true).. Very frustrated (and noticing OUR proudly-worn, Teamsters Airline Division pins), he said OK and that he'd call a fuel truck. When the fuel truck showed up I noticed the Teamster logo on the fueler's shirt and I asked him if he realized that there were IBT struck goods on this aircraft. He said "I guess you guys won't be getting any fuel from us..." The UPS BOS manager flipped out when he saw the fuel truck driving away and we told him that they wouldn't fuel us because he was a Teamster too. Then, we had to safely and slowly taxi all the way to the other end of BOS to get non-union fuelers.

After many self-generated delays and bathroom and snack breaks, we finally took off from BOS, and once airborne, refused any direct SDF routings and flew only our flight plan route somewhere between L/D Max and Best Endurance, LOL... We made a broadcast on the frequency that we knew that the IPA was monitoring to let them know what was happening. We then requested the full approach into SDF and made sure to taxi safely and slowly to the wrong UPS ramp. Unfortunately, we arrived at the UPS Ramp too late to make the sort. Oh well, we tried to make the sort

While the idea of flying that night was vile, our attempts to confound our enemy any way we could definitely helped, according to the IPA and the IBT. Any pilot flying in to CVG, or ILN, or ONT, or ABE, etc. could help this way, from a C152 to a Metroliner to a Delta B737 (And most certainly, a B767-200, a B767-300, or a B757). There are many ways for ALL pilots to help and show unity.

Ask the IPA... A small group of pilots CAN make a difference!

In Unity!

 

Looks like a great plan of attack.

 

I applaud your intentions but the better thing to do is refuse to move a wheel on grounds of emotional distress.

 

Hey guys, I work in the on-demand freight world (definitely non-union) and rarely keep up with other companies. I'm a concerned pilot with regards to flying struck work. Is there any means of finding out if what I may be assigned to fly is struck work? If I get called for anything into CVG or ILM, it'll definitely bring up a red flag. I will NOT fly struck work.

 

lmao, good god. Awesome read.

 

MAEWOF men and equipment working on field. Excercise caution! If I saw someone out there I'd slow down even more, don't want to knock over my boss.

 

Avatar is CLASSIC

best fight seen ever put on film!