1. FedEx Reaches “Tentative Agreement” with Pilots Union
After more than two years of negotiations, FedEx announced they’ve reached a tentative agreement for a new contract with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), likely avoiding a potential strike.
“This tentative agreement represents the culmination of a tremendous effort, and would not have been possible without the solidarity, patience, and determination of every FedEx pilot,” Capt. Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) said in an issued statement.
A few steps remain before the agreement is passed, such as language finalization, approval by the FedEx MEC, and a ratification vote from FedEx pilots.
Article from Omer Yusuf, The Commercial Appeal
2. UPS and Teamsters Agree to Limit Packages Eligible for USPS Delivery
According to the Teamsters union, they’ve reached a tentative agreement that would limit the size of packages eligible to be delivered by the USPS through UPS’ SurePost service.
In the SurePost system, smaller, lightweight packages are given to the USPS to handle final-mile delivery. With their current contract, packages eligible are usually under 10 lbs and 3 cubic feet. If a UPS worker identifies them as being over that size, they can remove the package from the system and redirect it to be delivered by a UPS driver.
By lowering that threshold, Teamsters aims to create more work for union members, noting that they exchanged proposals “to push UPS to put more boxes back on union package cars and commit to regular testing of the very technology the company uses to redirect volume,” in a statement. This negotiation term is tentative and subject to the National Master Agreement eventually being ratified.
Article from Max Garland, Supply Chain Dive
3. FAA Authorizes Ameriflight Drone Operations
Ameriflight has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate drones, as well as adding the Matternet M2 to their fleet. The approvals enable the first “fully operational, large-scale drone operation in the U.S.” according to Mark Solomon of FreightWaves.
According to Matternet CEO Andreas Raptopoulos, “This is not a test program or a future deployment concept — this is the real, scalable, and safe drone-based solution that customers are looking for.”
Ameriflight’s drone operations will begin with a focus on pharmaceutical/medical deliveries while expanding into eCommerce parcel deliveries.
