UPS pilots represented by the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) – today ratified a new five-year labour agreement after months of negotiations.
The contract ratified with more than 91 per cent of the vote, with more than 98 per cent of the eligible members casting ballots.
The collective bargaining agreement, which goes into effect tomorrow, covers the more than 2,500 union pilots at UPS. The new labour agreement becomes amendable on 1 September, 2021.
Key components of the agreement include:
•An immediate pay increase of 14.65 per cent and three per cent annual wage increases over the life of the contract, for a compounded increase of 29.04 per cent.
•A $60,000 signing bonus for captains, and a $40,000 signing bonus for first officers.
•A 40 per cent increase to the defined benefit pension plan.
•Crew rest enhancements, including more favorable duty period limits for overnight and international flights; additional sleep facilities at major gateways; and sleep modules in UPS Boeing 767 aircraft.
•A commitment by UPS to work with the IPA in applying the latest in fatigue science to pilot scheduling.
IPA president, Robert Travis says: “Important gains were made in all areas of the contract to include improvements in the critical area of pilot scheduling.”
Referring to the new agreement’s provisions to apply fatigue science to current UPS scheduling practices, Travis says “time will tell whether or not UPS is willing to embrace changes that could lead to a safer operation”.
Travis states the pilot union will continue to advocate for cargo’s inclusion into duty and rest rules now applicable only to passenger flying. “Our advocacy for one level of aviation safety continues,” he adds.
