ABX Air pilots could resume strike on Dec. 7

ABX Air’s pilots are reminding the airline that a temporary restraining order (TRO) that ended the 250-pilot strike on Nov. 23 expires soon, and are urging their employer to “completely restore the status quo and take steps to address the significant understaffing at the carrier,” which has resulted in having pilots working “emergency” assignment days during their down time.

Pilots from ABX Air, which flies packages for Amazon.com and DHL Worldwide Express, went on strike on Nov. 22 in the Ohio cities of Cincinnati and Wilmington, prompting the carriers’ parent company, Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), to go to court seeking an injunction that would, “restore the status quo operating environment.” The strike ultimately cancelled 75 flights, and raised speculation about the durability of Amazon’s much vaunted supply chain.

The court ruled in favor of ATSG, however the Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224, which represents the 250 ABX Air pilots, dissented. “We do not agree with the Judge’s decision to keep us from striking, as we believe the company’s actions represent a clear violation of the status quo as outlined by Railway Labor Act. Rather than spend more time in court, what we’d really like is for ABX to stop the “emergency” assignments and take real steps to hire and retain the number of skilled pilots we need to keep up with our customers,” said Rick Ziebarth, ABX pilot and executive council chairman, Teamsters Local 1224.