FedEx Express pilots have voted to go on strike “if necessary”, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), said on May 17.

The union said 99% of pilots who voted on the proposal were in favour of authorising a strike to get a new contractual agreement with the company after two years of talks.

Around 97% of Fedex pilot members of ALPA voted, with the ballot called seven months after negotiations went into mediation.

“FedEx pilots spoke with one unified voice and sent a clear message to management that we are willing to go the distance to secure a new contract,” said Capt. Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council.

“Now is the time for FedEx to deliver a new contract that reflects the value we bring to FedEx as highly skilled professionals who deliver FedEx’s Purple Promise every day,” Norman added, saying the pilots want to cut a deal rather than go on strike.