Release #05.047
October 6, 2005

ALPA Response to FedEx Announcement on Mediation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Captain David Webb, chairman of the FedEx unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement following FedEx management’s decision to request the assistance of the National Mediation Board in the pilots’ ongoing contract negotiations:

“We are disappointed, but not surprised, by FedEx management’s actions today in requesting the assistance of the National Mediation Board and admitting the failure of FedEx Labor Relations to reach an agreement with the pilots.

“The company’s final comprehensive proposal contained significant concessions, reflective of opportunistic greed in a time of industry turmoil. Management presented this proposal while corporate officers repeatedly make public statements that FedEx profits continue to rise and will be even greater in the future. 

“Our proposals address the issues of our members as expressed through more than three years of polling and are responsible and consistent with the contributions of our pilots and the extraordinary profitability of FedEx. No matter what the venue of negotiations, we will continue to pursue a responsible agreement that addresses our pilots’ concerns.”

More information on the pilots’ ongoing negotiations can be found at www.fedexlabortalks.com.

Day and night and 365 days a year, the 4,300 professional FedEx pilots--representing the air division of the FedEx brand and helping generate nearly two-thirds of FedEx Corporation’s annual revenue--fly to cities on five continents, making FedEx among the largest and most profitable airlines by any measure. 

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 64,000 airline pilots at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org.

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ALPA Contact: Scott Sherrin, (901) 842-2220 or (901) 409-0325