UPS and IBT finally reach labour deal
UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) have reached a tentative agreement on a labour contract between the operator and its aircraft mechanics. The agreement comes after four years of negotiations involving Teamsters Local 2727, the Teamsters Airline Division, UPS and the National Mediation Board.
Despite no financial details of the agreement being released, the resolution will provide welcome relief to the 1,200 UPS Airline mechanics and related employees represented by the IBT in the US.
The IBT said that the agreement’s key components include: an “industry-best top rate”; continued free healthcare benefits; significant retroactive pay and other lump sum payments for past years; and numerous work rule improvements, including a new Aviation Safety Awareness Programme and company concessions that will bring vendor work in house.
“This is an excellent offer and a win for airline labour,” said Capt. David Bourne, director, Teamsters Airline Division. “We are proud to present such a strong package to our brothers and sisters, particularly in such an uncertain economy.”
The proposed contract will run until November 2013, when it would again become amendable.
The IBT said the contract will be put to a vote by UPS aircraft mechanics in the “near future”.
