ABX Air pilots have cast a vote of no confidence in the airline’s management as negotiations over a new contract continue.
The ATSG-owned airline, which counts Amazon and DHL amongst its customers, has been negotiating with the Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 for more than five years to over a new contract.
Voting was open to 230 union members from November 18 to 26. Of those that voted, 205 voted for a resolution of no confidence and one pilot voted against the motion.
The vote is largely symbolic as the Mediation Board needs to provide permission for strikes to take place, but comes as the 2019 peak season is underway.
“As we head into the busiest time of the year, ABX pilots should be focusing on delivering results for our customers,” said Rick Ziebarth, an ABX Air pilot and executive council chairman of Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224.
“However, management’s current delay strategy serves to undermine what should be our common goal.”
Pilots say that without a change in management’s course it will be difficult to attract skilled and experienced pilots, given the dwindling pool of qualified candidates.
An ABX spokesperson declined to comment directly on the vote itself, but said: "We continue to have complete confidence in our ability to serve our customers."
