WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | UPS Facing Possible Strike By Pilots

UPS Facing Possible Strike By Pilots

By Frances Kuo

(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) -- For a company that prides itself on being punctual, the clock is ticking for UPS. Its pilots union is setting a deadline for next Friday. The pilots say if UPS officials don't budge on key job protection, health and pension issues they may prepare for a possible strike. WAVE 3's Frances Kuo investigates the sticking points and how both sides are reacting.

They are normally comfortable in the air, but now UPS pilots are now hitting the pavement.

"After 38 months, we kind of feel our hands are a little bit forced, and we need to start hedging our bets," said UPS Capt. Tom Nicholson, president of the Independent Pilots Association.

The 2,700 pilots of UPS Independent Pilots Association say they've reached their limit after more than three years of negotiations with the company.

On average, the pilots make $175,000 a year. But they insist salaries is not a sticking point.

"It's about securing our jobs, it's about securing the pensions, it's about taking care of our people's health care benefits," said Nicholson.

Friday's picket comes weeks after the union paid for a national ad asking customers if they want to bet on a company that's in the middle of labor strife.

"It's going to sound like the sky's falling, but the bottom line is that's part of the rhetoric, that's part of the negotiation tactics," said Mark Guiffre, a UPS spokesperson.

Guiffre says the company has already agreed to increase pilots' pay along with other concessions.

"Increasing benefits and pension,in work rules, in vacations, in quality of life issues, all the different areas of the contract that they want to address -- we've addressed that," said Guiffre.

The impasse comes during the UPS busy holiday season. But one thing both sides can agree on -- customers and clients should not be concerned.

"We don't want to hurt the public, we don't want to hurt anybody," said Nicholson.

"We believe the mediation process will result in a contract, and that we don't believe that there will be any disruption in service to our customers, said Guiffre.

Beginning Monday, both sides will begin another round of negotiations with a federal mediator. If a deal isn't reached by December 23rd, the union will request a release from mediation. That could set in motion a 30-day countdown to a strike or lock-out. UPS says it does not believe the request would be granted.

Online Reporter: Frances Kuo

Online Producer: Charles Gazaway