FedEx Pilot Leadership Approves Strike Authorization Vote

Founded in 1931 and currently representing upwards of 67,000 pilots in the employs of 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines, the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the largest pilot union in the world.

In the wake of stalled talks between FedEx pilots and the Memphis-based shipping titan’s management, ALPA’s FedEx Express Master Executive Council (MEC), on 17 February 2023, unanimously approved a resolution heralding a possible strike authorization vote. Contract negotiations between FedEx pilots and company management have dragged on, interminably and unproductively, since May 2021. At present, no future talks are scheduled.

FedEx MEC chair Captain Chris Norman stated: “The decision to move closer to a strike authorization vote is the result of nearly six-months of federally mediated negotiations that has led to our disappointment with FedEx management’s actions at the bargaining table.”

FedEx pilots are resolved to utilize the full resources of the Railway Labor Act (RLA) as permitted by law—up to and including a strike—to secure an industry-leading contract. Per the provisions of the RLA, a strike cannot occur before FedEx’s pilots are released by the National Mediation Board, and a thirty-day cooling-off period passes. Thereafter, a strike authorization vote must be held and ratified by FedEx’s rank-and-file pilots prior to the commencement of an organized work stoppage.

Captain Norman added: “FedEx pilots are committed to reaching a deal with management, but we will not waver in our commitment to deliver a contract that rewards pilots for their sacrifices to build FedEx into the global leader it is today. Although a strike authorization vote has not been called at this time, our customers and shareholders should be aware that the pilots may be headed in that direction shortly.”

FMI: www.alpa.org