AIR CARGO PILOTS DEMAND BETTER CONTRACTS
Air cargo pilots throughout North America are planning strikes if their demands for better contracts are not met. In Canada, pilots for a startup air cargo company are on the cusp of a labor stoppage, while union members at major integrator company in the United States voted overwhelmingly in favor of a labor strike. Both the Canadian and US pilots seek improved working conditions and better compensation as a shortage of licensed pilots is failing to meet growing demand for air cargo services.
CANADA
A cargo airline startup within a prominent Canadian passenger carrier, faces potential operational suspension if a new labor agreement cannot be reached by the 3:00 a.m. on Friday, May 19. The startup issued a lockout notice in response to the Air Line Pilots Association’s strike notification. With approximately 1,850 pilots planning to walk off the job, all of the company’s aircraft will be grounded. The pilots’ concerns include better wages, flexible schedules for work-life balance, and job security. The company is accepting cargo bookings after Friday but a work stoppage may strand cargo in their system causing shipping delays. The air cargo company operates between four Canadian cities with flights to Miami and Los Angeles.
“Given the importance of air cargo to United States commerce and the global supply chain, we expect the US government to intervene before pilot labor stoppages occur. However, we are working very closely with our trusted air cargo partners to ensure our time critical and air cargo shipments reach their destination on schedule should the integrator pilots walk out.”
Troy Rybandt, Director of Operations, Time Critical Services
Green Worldwide Shipping
USA
Pilots of a leading integrator company voted overwhelmingly in support of strike, if necessary, during their ongoing contract negotiations. Over 99% of the Air Line Pilots Association authorized union leaders to call a labor stoppage. At issue for the pilots is a growing shortage of aviators and a surge in air cargo demand that negatively impacts pilots’ work-life balance. The negotiations are being overseen by a government-appointed mediator and are scheduled to resume next week. The pilots cannot strike in the US without the permission of the National Mediation Board (NMB). The NMB must first determine that additional mediation efforts would be unproductive before granting permission to the union to strike. Should either side decline arbitration a 30-day “cooling off” period commences, after which either side may resort to a strike or lockout action.
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