UPS may lay off at least 300 pilots

Written by Admin | 11 February 2010

Atlanta-based UPS said the layoffs would involve about 11 percent of its 2,800 pilots, starting in May. Atlanta-based UPS said the layoffs would involve about 11 percent of its 2,800 pilots, starting in May. (John Sommers Ii/Reuters/ File 2009)

DALLAS - United Parcel Service Inc., the world’s largest package delivery company, plans to furlough as least 300 pilots unless it can find more savings in a joint effort with the employees’ union.

The layoffs would involve about 11 percent of its 2,800 pilots, starting in May, the Atlanta-based company said yesterday. UPS already is cutting 1,800 small-package jobs.

UPS is preparing to trim the pilot ranks after the company and the Independent Pilots Association in June avoided layoffs with an agreement for $131 million in labor concessions over three years. Efforts to find more ways to reduce expenses have failed, UPS said yesterday in a statement. Talks with the union are continuing, the company said.

“Even though the economy has begun to turn around, UPS anticipates a very gradual recovery and a continued need for belt-tightening,’’ Bob Lekites, the president of UPS Airlines, said in the statement. “This is a painful decision for our people, but one that is right for the ongoing health of our business.’

UPS in January said it would cut 1,800 jobs as it shrinks US operating districts in its small-package unit, its largest division.

The company last week reported fourth-quarter net income of $757 million on sales of $12.4 billion.alt

© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.

ITF calls for action in support of UPS worker in Germany

Written by Admin | 16 January 2010

15 January 2010

Ver.di activist and UPS workers Murat Sahin *
Murat Sahin *

The ITF yesterday urged member unions to back a worker at UPS in Germany, who it is alleged, may have been discriminated against.

In the call to action the ITF urged affiliated unions to send protest letters to UPS managers to demand a solution to the case, which revolves around developments at UPS in Cologne, Germany, the company’s major European hub. Details were outlined in an article published by the ITF-affiliated union Ver.di; the union alleges the possibility of discrimination and racist behaviour against trade union activist Murat Sahin, who is Turkish. Since the article was published, it is understood that a mediation process has been taking place between managers and Sahin; Sahin has outlined a proposal relating to the composition of the mediation panel in order to progress the matter.

In a letter to Scott Davis, UPS chairman and chief executive officer, Ingo Marowsky, ITF global organising coordinator invites him to contact UPS managers to resolve the case. “All of us expect a clear message from the company that victimisation of, and discrimination and racist behaviour against trade union activists are all unacceptable actions and have no place in the UPS world,” he said.

More information about sending a protest letter: http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/upsgermany.cfm

 

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