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Federal Mediator Calls For Recess in UPS Pilot Talks
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ATLANTA, Dec. 23, 2005 – UPS (NYSE:UPS) today said the federal mediator in
charge of negotiations between UPS and the Independent Pilots Association (IPA)
has put the talks in an indefinite recess.
In the NMB's notification
to the parties, the negotiations have been placed in an indefinite recess as
of December 23, 2005. Although no future mediation sessions have been scheduled
at this time, the mediator indicates both sides should "re-evaluate negotiating
positions with respect to the remaining issues and prepare to bring the negotiations
to a successful conclusion."
There can be no strike or work stoppage while the parties
are in recess. UPS pilots are legally obligated under the Railway Labor Act
to continue working under the existing contract during any recess.
A recess often is a normal part
of the mediation process, allowing the company and the union time to evaluate
their positions. It does not prohibit the two parties from continuing to
talk.
"We made progress during talks this
week," said Bob Lekites, vice
president of UPS airlines and international operations. "While the company
and the union still have differences to address, UPS remains committed to continue
negotiations until an agreement can be reached."
The main contract items
still on the table are compensation and benefits. UPS pilots already are
among the highest paid in the industry, earning an average of $175,000 a year.
UPS continues to believe the federally prescribed negotiating
process will result in a contract that best serves the interests of its employees,
customers and shareholders.
Moving forward, the federal mediator will continue to control
the timing and pace of negotiations. "The company remains ready and willing
to meet at any time or place specified by the federal mediator," added
Lekites.
This is the second recess since the company and the union began talks under
the auspices of a federal mediator. The previous recess was called in June
2005. While that recess lasted three months, there is no prescribed time
period for a recess.
UPS Airlines is the world's ninth largest airline. UPS
is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply
chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the
movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS
serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS stock trades
on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS), and the company can be found on the Web
at UPS.com.
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For more information, contact:
- Mark Giuffre
502-329-3060
- Peggy Gardner
404-828-7123
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