World Airways Pilots Reject Labor Contract

Pilots at World Airways have rejected a three-year contract proposal after more than two years of negotiations with the company.

The final proposal included a one-time signing bonus, annual pay increases over three years, profit sharing, major improvements in working conditions and further improvements in most of the sections of the contract under mediation. World Airways has asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) to release the company from mediation, but will continue to work under the auspices of the NMB until such time that the parties are released. If the NMB releases World Airways and the IBT from mediation, arbitration will be offered. If that offer is declined, it will trigger a 30-day cooling off period, during which time the parties may continue to talk.

“We believe this was a fair and equitable offer to bring a long negotiation process to conclusion,” said Charlie McDonald, World Airways chief operating officer. “We regret their decision to turn down pay rates and working conditions that would be among the best in the non-scheduled airline industry. We remain committed to our objective of getting a fair agreement out to our pilots for a vote.”

In a press release issued by their union, World Airways pilots stated:

The latest offer from the company does not address the long-term concerns of the pilots, who have voted to authorize a strike after the NMB grants a release from negotiations.

"I believe that this management team has lost sight of where the success lies in this corporation," said Captain Luis M. Carmona, World Airways Pilots Executive Council Chairman. "It is the dedicated employees who make World Airways what it is today."

The pilots have voted to authorize a strike after the National Mediation Board grants a release from negotiations.

World Airways pilots are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.