UPS furloughs pilots to cut costs

UPS Airlines announced plans to furlough 54 pilots on 23-May-2010, the first of 300 pilots to be furloughed as part of new cost cutting measures to save the carrier USD1.4 billion (Atlanta Business Chronicle, 19-May-2010). The carrier stated it employs more pilots than required and furloughs were its only option after failing to reach a deal with its pilot union, Independent Pilots Association. [more - IPA Response]

Independent Pilots Association: "At a time when the number one issue for most Americans is creating jobs, UPS is creating unemployment. What makes this furlough truly unfortunate is that our pilots took it upon themselves to give-up pay and benefits to produce $117 million in guaranteed savings for UPS, enough to keep these 300 pilots employed well into 2011." Captain Robert Thrush, President of the Independent Pilots Association.