Atlas Air says it is “committed” to providing a new competitive contract with enhanced pay and benefits “as soon as possible” after pilots went on strike yesterday over working conditions.
The pilots flying for major logistics companies such as Amazon Air and DHL through contracted carriers Atlas Air, Southern Air, and ABX Air protested near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. They are all represented by the Airlines Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224.
An Atlas Air spokesperson said: “We value our hard-working crew of 2,000 Atlas Air and Southern Air pilots, and we remain committed to providing a new, competitive contract with enhanced pay and benefits as soon as possible.
“The reality is that the union leaders have significant control over the timing of the new contract for our pilots. In connection with Atlas Air’s pending merger with Southern Air, the union need only tender the company an integrated seniority list, which would start the clock on a contractually-defined period of bargaining after which any unresolved issues would be submitted for interest arbitration.
“The union has simply refused to honor its contractual commitments as confirmed by recent court and arbitration decisions, which has resulted in unnecessary delay.
“In fact, had the union followed the merger provisions of their contract as we had requested and as required by the respective collective bargaining agreements, our pilots would have had a new contract by now.
“We urge the union to follow their contractual obligations. In the meantime, we continue to meet regularly with union leaders on contract negotiations, and are committed to making progress for the benefit of our pilots.
“We thank our pilots for sharing our commitment to providing our customers with the high level of service they have come to expect.”
Atlas Air has established a fact-based information site – AtlasAir5YPilots.com – which provides the latest updates on contract negotiations.
(Picture courtesy of Airlines Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224)
