UPS Pilots Expand Global Labor Ties

The Independent Pilots Association ("IPA"), a US-based labor union representing 2,600 UPS airline pilots, has gained membership in the International Transport Workers' Federation ("ITF,") a global alliance of unions representing transportation workers.

"This is an important development in IPA's history," said Captain Robert Travis, President of the Independent Pilots Association.  "ITF membership gives us instant access to unions representing UPS workers around the globe.  The IPA's acceptance into the organization is well timed given our ongoing contract negotiations with UPS."

"IPA is strong union and a natural fit for the ITF," said Ingo Marowsky, ITF Global Head – Supply Chain and Logistics.  "We welcome IPA pilots as members of our global solidarity network."

Founded in 1896, the ITF is an alliance of more than 700 transportation trade unions spread over 150 countries, representing more than 4.5 million workers.  In addition to having a robust Aviation division, the ITF has focused resources in developing a department related to research and analysis of supply chain and logistics companies such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, TNT, and DPD/GeoPost.

"There is no way to overstate the value of this new relationship.  With the resources of the ITF, we will have access to every major union contract covering UPS employees and UPS vendors worldwide as well as direct access to their leadership.  This information flow and these personal connections can and will strengthen the IPA's ability to represent the interests of our members," Travis added.   

ITF is an accredited organization holding representational status with international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Labor Organization. "ITF membership will provide us with formal ties to these important international bodies that directly impact our careers," said Travis.   

The ITF has 21 United States member unions including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the National Air Traffic Controllers' Association, the International Longshoremen's Association, and the Transportation Workers' Union.  The ITF is headquartered in London with regional offices on the continent of Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia.

FMI: www.ipapilot.org