Grounded Packages? FedEx Pilots Flex Their Bargaining Muscles with Strike Vote

FedEx Corporation's FDX Express unit pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have voted overwhelmingly in support of a strike if necessary.

After two years of negotiations, FedEx pilots pledge to walk if talks fail.

With over 97% of members participating, 99% of FedEx pilots authorized union leaders to call a strike, if needed, to achieve a new contractual agreement with FedEx. 

The pilots' contract became amendable in November 2021, with negotiations beginning in May 2021.

The FedEx pilots are working under contractual provisions and benefits negotiated in 2015. Negotiations for a new agreement began in May 2021, six months before the amendable date of November 2021. Talks entered mediation in October 2022.

With aviators in short supply and air travel demand booming, Reuters reported that pilots are enjoying enhanced bargaining power, encouraging them to push for better contracts with airlines and parcel firms.

"We are still in productive negotiations with our pilots under the supervision of a government-appointed mediator and will return to the bargaining table next week," FedEx said.

"The ball is in the management's court, and it's time for the company to get serious at the bargaining table and invest in our pilots," said Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA master executive council.

Price Action: FDX shares are up 1.57% at $229.43 during the premarket session on the last check Thursday.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons