FedEx pilots picket in Memphis for new contract, criticize upcoming consolidation
FedEx pilots held an informational picket outside the FedEx headquarters in Memphis, taking aim at the One FedEx plan and pushing for a new contract. About 30 FedEx pilots gathered outside the company's headquarters in Memphis to protest against its new realignment strategy, "One FedEx," which includes consolidating all operating companies into one air-ground network under the title of Federal Express Corporation. The pilots, who are part of the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), argue that their outdated contract does not reflect the strategic direction of the company nor the standard for commercial airline pilots. This is the second informational picket organized by the ALPA this year in Memphis. Negotiations between FedEx management and ALPA have been ongoing since May 2021, but a tentative agreement was rejected in July 2023. The ALPA has filed a request with the national Mediation Board to be released from mediation in March 2024, which could lead to a legal strike.
Pubblicato : 4 settimane fa di AOL Staff in Finance
About 30 FedEx pilots gathered Thursday afternoon outside the company's headquarters in Memphis to show their opposition to the logistics giant's new realignment strategy, "One FedEx."
FedEx pilots, who are part of the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), held an informational picket outside the company's headquarters at 942 Shady Grove Road.
On April 5, FedEx announced it would be consolidating all its operating companies including FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Services into one air-ground network under the title of Federal Express Corporation. A cost-savings move, the operations transition is expected to begin in June.
“As FedEx begins its journey to restructure under the ‘One FedEx’ strategy, our pilots remind management that there’s still unfinished business to address in the near term,” chair of the FedEx Master Executive Council Jose Nieves said in a statement. “Our negotiations began well ahead of this realignment strategy, and we strongly believe management must resolve outstanding labor disputes to ensure the company’s continued success. Our outdated contract does not reflect the strategic direction of the company nor the standard for commercial airline pilots.”
The master executive council is the governing body of the FedEx unit of the Air Line Pilots Association International. This is the second informational picket in Memphis organized by the group this year. The association previously picketed outside the Shady Grove Road headquarters in March.
Negotiations between the ALPA and FedEx management have been ongoing since May 2021. The two entities entered mediation in October 2022. A tentative agreement was rejected in July 2023. In March 2024, the ALPA filed a request with the national Mediation Board to be released from mediation. The request was the first step toward pursuing a legal strike for a new labor contract.
FedEx pilots contract: FedEx pilots seek release from mediation in contract dispute. Could a strike follow?
“We want to make it clear to FedEx management that they cannot achieve their goals without the support of its employees. These public displays of unity are only going to continue until management recognizes our contributions to the company’s success,” Nieves said.
The ALPA was founded in 1931 and represents more than 77,000 pilots between 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines.
Under the new "One FedEx" corporate structure, Raj Subramaniam will serve as President and CEO of the combined organization. Subramaniam took over as president and CEO after FedEx founder Fred Smith stepped down June 2022. In an April news release, the company stated the new transformation will help its DRIVE initiative, which is estimated to generate $4 billion in permanent cost reductions in fiscal 2025.
Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected], 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: FedEx pilots picket for new contract, criticize consolidation plan
Temi: Mergers and Acquisitions