The leadership of the Independent Pilots Association called on its members on September 9 to authorize a pilot strike against United Parcel Service.

If approved, the five-pilot executive board of the Independent Pilots Association would have the authority to request a release from federally mediated negotiations with UPS.

“A strike is the least desirable outcome of labor negotiations,” said IPA President, Captain Robert Travis, “but after four years of contract talks with UPS we’ve reached a point where UPS needs to hear loud and clear from our membership that they are willing to do whatever it takes to secure an industry leading contract.”

The National Mediation Board has been conducting mediations sessions between UPS and the IPA since early 2014 on compensation, pension, and benefits issues.

“UPS has stalled and delayed, unnecessarily prolonging our negotiations,” said Travis.  “UPS management has created a bitter standoff with its pilot employees. In sharp contrast, UPS archrival Federal Express recently announced a tentative agreement with its pilots. If ratified, the FedEx pilot deal will bring labor peace to our main competitor, given that the pilots are the only major employee group at FedEx covered by a collective bargaining agreement.”

The IPA will announce the result of its UPS strike vote on October 23.  The FedEx pilot contract ratification vote is also slated to conclude in late-October.