Release #: 15.FDX1
March 02, 2015

Hundreds of FedEx Pilots Participate in Contract Rally

Air Line Pilots Association, International FDX Master Executive Council 1770 Kirby Parkway, Suite 300  |  Memphis, TN  38138 Ph: 901.752.8749  |  1.866.FDX.ALPA  |  Fax: 901.752.9097

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—In a strong show of support of their union Negotiating Committee, hundreds of FedEx pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), participated in a contract rally on Sunday, March 1, 2015. With a turnout of more than 700 pilots, the group demonstrated their dissatisfaction with FDX management's approach to bargaining. 

The parties have been actively negotiating since 2011. Discussions started in 2011 under a special interim discussions agreement that had originally been made by both parties to assist in narrowing the field of open items in order to conclude formal bargaining in a timely manner. Formal bargaining began in January 2013 when the collective bargaining agreement reached its amendable date. On October 31, 2014, FedEx management filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board, which resulted in no bargaining for the remainder of 2014.

"The timeline is ugly. Management has had an abundance of time to fully develop an agreement that is fair and respectful to the pilots who significantly contribute to the corporation's success," said FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council chairman Captain Scott Stratton. He continued, "Our pilots are unhappy with the fact that these negotiations have not concluded. They know how much time has passed, and they fully understand that management has become the impediment. It's past time to get this bargaining done. This prolonged negotiation is doing damage to the corporate/pilot relationship. It is up to management to get back on the right track."

FedEx ALPA Negotiating Committee chairman Captain Scott Larsen expressed his gratitude for the event, saying, "It's great to see a packed room. It's a shame that we have to gather under these circumstances, but my team has certainly been energized by this show of support. Everyone is closely watching as we progress through the bargaining process. The pilots have never wavered. With the kind of pilot unity and support we are witnessing here today, FDX management should take notice and understand there is no longer a future expectation. We sincerely hope that FedEx management understands the meaning of 'Contract Now, It's Past Time.'"

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 51,000 pilots at 30 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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SOURCE: Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l
CONTACT: FDX ALPA, Courtney Bland, 901-842-2220 or Courtney.Bland@alpa.org

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