Emery Worldwide says ops status quo while pilots hint at more strife

Emery Worldwide, the global cargo transportation subsidiary of CNF Inc. says everything is running smoothly despite the suspension of Emery Worldwide Airlines’ flight operations.

Emery Worldwide is currently using contracted airlift from other carriers to fulfill its North American operations requirements.

“There have been unfounded statements that we will not be able to maintain service to Emery’s customers during this time or in the future. From a legal or any other perspective, these statements are wrong. Our operations will continue to run smoothly and efficiently and support from our customers remains solid. We will continue to operate this substitute fleet as long as necessary to serve our customers,” says Emery Worldwide Vice President North America Eric Kirchner.

Emery Worldwide says it is providing its full range of guaranteed and deferred services in North America and internationally, serving its same global network of cities in North America and 226 countries worldwide.

However, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents some 66,000 pilots at 47 carriers in the U.S. and Canada, says that the grounding of Emery’s fleet because of safety issues is just the start of more problems to come for Emery.

“Recently, Emery began to lay off pilots in an effort to shift flying to a number of subcontractors. These layoffs, and the subsequent movement of work to subcontractors, are the subject of major union grievances that are scheduled for hearing and a decision by a neutral arbitrator later this month,” said Captain Mark Luthi, chairman of the Emery unit at ALPA.

With the recent shutdown of the airline, says the ALPA’s Luthi in a release, Emery has further accelerated its replacement of unionised employees with subcontractors and additional legal action has been taken in grievances naming the airline as well as its freight forwarding company, Emery Worldwide.

“With the potential of substantial liability for back pay for hundreds of employees, with its aircraft grounded, and with considerable limits placed on the amount of subcontracting Emery will be allowed to do, the airline and related corporations could face serious financial as well as legal problems in coming months,” said Luthi.