FedEx Pilots Overwhelmingly Vote in Favor of Strike for Pay Increase

In a significant development, pilots from FedEx Corp’s air delivery unit have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a potential strike as they near the final stages of contract negotiations with the company, according to the Air Line Pilots Association.

With a shortage of pilots and a surge in air travel demand, pilots now have increased bargaining power, prompting them to seek improved contracts from both airlines and parcel firms.

The vote saw participation from over 97% of union members, with 99% authorizing union leaders to call for a strike if necessary among FedEx Express pilots.

FedEx responded to the vote by stating, “We are still engaged in productive negotiations with our pilots under the guidance of a government-appointed mediator and will resume discussions at the bargaining table next week.”

The union highlighted that recent ratified agreements have substantially raised the industry standard for pilot pay. Delta Air Lines, for example, set a benchmark in December by offering a cumulative pay increase of 34%.

Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA master executive council, asserted, “The ball is in the management’s court, and it’s time for the company to approach the bargaining table seriously and invest in our pilots.”

Notably, the pilots’ union at Southwest Airlines Co also recently backed a strike mandate in anticipation of the busy summer travel season.

According to U.S. law, pilots are prohibited from initiating a strike until the National Mediation Board grants permission. The board must first determine that further mediation efforts would not be fruitful and provide an opportunity for arbitration.

Should either party decline arbitration, a 30-day “cooling off” period ensues, after which pilots and management may resort to self-help measures—either a strike by the union or a lockout by management.