UPS aircraft mechanics sign off on authorizing strike vote

Earlier in October, Union-represented aircraft mechanics and other workers for UPS took UPS to task, saying as they head into contract negotiations with UPS, the company is calling for a massive reduction in both active and retiree health benefits for 1,200 maintenance workers. What’s more, UPS union workers said that UPS wants to increase healthcare costs for families by as much as 430 percent in the first year of a new contract with subsequent increases each year after at a time when UPS records record profits and dividend payouts, and executive compensation packages.

Not surprisingly, last Friday, these workers voted to authorize a strike vote, with UPS mechanics and other maintenance workers in more than 90 United States locations part of Teamsters Local 2727, whom represents roughly 1,200 employees that maintain that company’s jet aircraft fleet, starting to receive ballots and voting last Friday. The Teamsters said voting will continue through November through mail-in ballots. 

And the Teamsters said that a strike by UPS aircraft mechanics would halt the company’s global shipping operation, noting that the company delivers more than 1.6 million packages a day during the lead-up to the holidays and is the primary delivery service for customers like Amazon. Teamsters and UPS have been discussing a new contract since late 2013.

The union also said that in 2008, OSHA cited UPS for violations that led to various employee injuries on the job, while citing a recent OSHA complaint asserting that these dangerous conditions persist. And it added that the physically strenuous and often dangerous work of aircraft mechanics, inspectors, utility employees and others serve as a reason for not accepting any healthcare cuts.

“UPS needs to respect the skilled, difficult and dangerous work our members do that makes UPS’s supply chain functional and its success possible,” said Tim Boyle, President of Teamsters Local 2727, in a statement. “Dedicated aircraft maintenance workers are simply asking to keep the benefits they already have so they can keep UPS planes running effectively. It’s a no-brainer and what’s fair, and we are ready to take our fight to the next level if UPS continues to try and strip a small group of its workers of basic benefits.”

UPS had a different take on the union’s comments.

“This is merely an attempt to influence ongoing contract negotiations between UPS and our aircraft mechanics,” Mike Mangeot, UPS Airlines Strategic Communications, told LM. “The reality is, UPS Airlines places the highest emphasis on safety, and no employee has been assigned to work in an unsafe environment. Our exacting safety standards meet and often exceed government regulations.”

Mangeot added that UPS does a great job of taking care of its aircraft mechanics, who enjoy annual wages in excess of $100,000, a robust pension plan, and premium-free health benefits.

“We believe negotiations are best left at the table, so we won’t discuss the specifics of talks,” he said. “UPS continues to negotiate in good faith for an agreement that is good for our mechanics and the company.”

Mangeot was quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying this situation will not have an impact on the holiday shipping season, with the Teamsters’ Boyle commenting in the same report that any potential strike would not occur before 2017.

And the WSJ also noted that UPS aircraft mechanics earn roughly $50 per hour, which is $5 less than FedEx, with the UPS proposal of a 430 percent hike in healthcare premiums for retirees up from the current $3,600 per year, coupled with reducing healthcare benefits for existing workers.