350 Pilots Authorize Strikes in Response to Unlawful Changes to Work Rules
TULSA, Okla., Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters pilots at Omni Air International have voted by an overwhelming 99 percent margin to authorize strikes. The vote grants the union's leadership the authority to call strikes when Omni or its parent company ATSG [NASDAQ: ATSG] implement unilateral changes to working conditions without following the legally required process. It comes one year after pilots voted unanimously to call a strike once released from negotiations by the National Mediation Board. The 350 pilots are represented by the Airline Professionals Association-Teamsters Local 1224.
Over the past year, Omni and ATSG have committed a record number of contract violations and at least one unlawful status quo change. These abuses have worsened longstanding issues with scheduling, pay, and overall employment conditions. Omni plays a critical role in government and military transport, serving clients like the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Transportation Command. Omni also services commercial customers such as Air Canada, WestJet, the United Nations, and the National Football League, and charter brokers like Chapman Freeborn Airchartering.
"The Teamsters urge Omni Air to honor the contributions of these pilots and stop implementing unlawful status quo changes," said Greg Unterseher, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division, Above the Wing. "Our pilots are dedicated professionals who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. If the company refuses to recognize our rights, we are prepared to act accordingly."
A recent survey of Omni pilots revealed serious concerns about safety and working conditions, with 80 percent of pilots saying they do not have confidence the company is prioritizing pilot safety and operational integrity. Additionally, 91 percent of Omni pilots report that the carrier's scheduling practices cause pilot fatigue, while 40 percent of pilots report that Omni management has attempted to coerce them into unsafe practices or violate federal aviation regulations.
"Our near-unanimous vote is a testament to the strength and unity of Omni Teamsters," said Captain Paul Rodell, a member of the Omni Air Pilots Executive Council. "Our pilots are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, service, and professionalism. But we cannot do this if the company continues to undermine our working conditions by implementing unlawful changes. Omni management has left us with no choice but to take direct action to protect our members and our livelihoods."
ATSG recently announced that its stockholders voted to approve a proposed merger with Stonepeak Partners, an investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets. Over 20 large U.S. public pension plans have invested funds with Stonepeak, including the New York State Common Retirement Fund, the Michigan State Retirement System, the Illinois State Retirement System, Teachers Insurance and the Annuity Association of America (TIAA), the New Jersey State Retirement System, and the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund.
Approximately 600 pilots at Omni's sister company, Air Transport International, a subsidiary of ATSG and the largest Amazon air cargo carrier, are also operating under an active strike vote authorization administered by their labor union the Air Line Pilots Association.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Media Contact:
Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877
mmcquaid@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
