UPS pilots agree labour deal

UPS pilots, represented by the Independent Pilots Association, have ratified a new five-year labour agreement after more than four years of negotations.

The contract ratified with more than 91% of the vote, with more than 98% 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 Airlines and becomes amendable in September 2021.

Key components of the agreement include: An immediate pay increase of 14.65% and 3% annual wage increases over the life of the contract, for a compounded increase of 29.04%; a $60,000 signing bonus for captains, and a $40,000 signing bonus for first officers; a 40% increase to the defined benefit pension plan.
There are also crew rest enhancements, including more favourable duty period limits for overnight and international flights; additional sleep facilities at major gateways; and sleep modules in UPS B767 aircraft.
UPS also committed to work with the IPA in applying the latest in fatigue science to pilot scheduling.
“Important gains were made in all areas of the contract to include improvements in the critical area of pilot scheduling,” said IPA president Robert Travis.

"We are happy that our crewmembers have accepted this win-win contract offer,” said Brendan Canavan, UPS Airlines president. "Together, we have succeeded in taking care of both our people’s needs and our business objectives."

Referring to the new agreement’s provisions to apply fatigue science to current UPS scheduling practices, Travis said that “time will tell whether or not UPS is willing to embrace changes that could lead to a safer operation”.
Travis stated that the pilot union will continue to advocate for cargo’s inclusion into duty and rest rules now applicable only to passenger flying.