FedEx Pilots Union Appoints Interim Chair Following Rejected Contract Deal

The FedEx Master Executive Council, the principal governing body of FedEx’s Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) unit, announced on Monday that Billy Wilson has been elected as the interim chair. This decision comes after union members dismissed a preliminary contract with FedEx this past July.

Wilson’s appointment, set to last until March 2025, follows Chris Norman, who played a pivotal role in crafting the tentative deal. This deal faced rejection from union members due to concerns regarding pay and job security.

Representing 6,000 pilots at FedEx, the union is yet to receive a response from the company regarding this change.

In a recent statement, Wilson affirmed his commitment to uniting all pilots and said, “I am dedicated to resuming negotiations.” He emphasized the need for compensation that matches what pilots at competing airlines receive. It’s worth noting that commercial pilots have seen substantial pay raises, a result of their bargaining strength in a period marked by staff shortages.

Highlighting the contributions of FedEx pilots during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilson pointed out, “We played a crucial role in delivering essential goods during business lockdowns, even as the company recorded record profits.”

He further stated that the initial FedEx deal, which proposed a 30% wage increase and a similar percentage hike to their existing pensions, didn’t meet expectations. For comparison, pilots at American Airlines received a compensation boost of over 46% throughout their four-year contract term.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, FexEx, reuters.com