Do the teamster’s really have a case?

Industry analysts contend that the Teamsters are not declaring a strike outright, but rather, voting to give their leadership permission for such an action.

Furthermore, the union has to ask permission of the arbitrator to go on strike…which seems unlikely.

The worst case scenario for all concerned is that if a strike is called on DHL, the shippers will opt for FedEx or UPS…never to return.

Interestingly, add analysts, UPS pilots “are rattling a similar saber.”

In any case, the Teamsters are telling the trade and business press that they are being exploited.

According to a comparison study conducted by Teamsters Local 1224, DHL contracted pilots are paid considerably less and work much longer hours than pilots who fly for U.S. logistics companies UPS and FedEx. Pilots at Atlas, Polar and Southern report being forced to fly long hours with minimal rest time in between flights, leading to dangerous fatigue.

“The managements of these five airlines that fly a significant portion of DHL’s freight have refused to address the legitimate concerns, needs, and security of their pilots,” said Captain Daniel C. Wells, an Atlas pilot and president of Local 1224. “Their deceit and intransigence towards the pilots has put the stability of their companies and DHL’s network at risk.  Pilots are united across all five airlines, and we will not stand by while airline executives and DHL try to play one pilot group against another in a race to the bottom for safety, efficiency, pay and job protection.”

Here’s how the Teamsters have detailed what they call “stalled” negotiations:

Air Transport Services Group (ABX)

ATGS’s ABX pilots endured furloughs and wage and benefit concessions in 2009, when DHL abruptly cut its operations in Wilmington, Ohio. Since then, pilots have been working under the 2009 concessionary contract with ABX and have been negotiating for an amended contract for more than two years. The parties’ negotiations are deadlocked over the company’s refusal to provide the ABX pilots with industry-standard job security protections and its disruptive practice of transferring work between ABX pilots and pilots at a sister company.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (Atlas Air, Inc., Polar Air Cargo, Inc. and Southern Air, Inc.)

Three of AAWW’s four air carrier subsidiaries (Atlas Air Cargo, Polar Air Cargo and Southern Air) and their pilots are in the middle of bargaining for new collective bargaining agreements. But earlier this year, the negotiations took a troubling turn when AAWW announced its acquisition of SAI, and its two air carriers, Southern Air and Florida West.
The pilots working at Southern Air, like their counterparts at ABX, are working under a concessionary contract far below industry standards that was approved during the company’s 2012 bankruptcy. After completing the SAI acquisition, AAWW and Atlas Air have insisted that Atlas Air and Polar pilots stop ongoing contract negotiations and merge their contract with the Southern Air pilots’ existing bankruptcy contract – a move that would have a devastating impact by suppressing wages and lowering quality of life issues for pilots at the three companies and throughout the industry.  The Atlas and Polar pilots filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board after Atlas Air refused to engage any further in legally-mandated negotiations.

Kalitta Air, Inc.

Pilots at Kalitta Air, Inc., have already voted overwhelmingly to authorize the union to call a strike against their employer if it becomes necessary.  The Teamsters, representing the Kalitta Air pilots, have been engaged in prolonged negotiations with the company for nearly six years.