54 pilots to leave UPS

UPS Airlines will lay-off 54 pilots next week. The job cuts form a part of an overall process to furlough 300 pilots – originally announced in February.

The Independent Pilots Association said the redundancies form a part of a $1.4bn cost-cutting plan.

The move comes despite the company’s 2,800 pilots going through voluntary cost-cutting procedures, including wage cuts, unpaid holidays, and taking early retirement.

Capt. Robert Thrush, president of the Independent Pilots Association, said in a statement: “At a time when the number one issue for most Americans is creating jobs, UPS is creating unemployment. What makes this furlough truly unfortunate is that our pilots took it upon themselves to give-up pay and benefits to produce $117m in guaranteed savings for UPS, enough to keep these 300 pilots employed well into 2011.”