Oct. 26, 2015—The union representing United Parcel Service Inc. pilots voted overwhelmingly to strike as contract negotiations enter their fifth year, a very public signal of employee dissatisfaction at the delivery giant as its all-important holiday peak fast approaches.
The union said that more than 99 percent of its 2,500 pilots voted yes, authorizing the Independent Pilots Association’s executive board to request a release from federally mediated negotiations with UPS. If the union chooses to ask for release and it is granted by the mediators, the pilots would be able to strike.
“The ball now is really in UPS’s court to decide which direction we’re going,” said Capt. Robert Travis, president of the union.
The situation stands in contrast to FedEx Corp., where pilots ratified a new six-year contract agreement granting higher hourly pay rates, new-hire compensation, a signing bonus and work-rule improvements.
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