More than 500 FedEx pilots lined up side-to-side on Democrat Road Wednesday in Memphis for an informational picket to show their continued unity and frustration as negotiations with FedEx management over a new contract remain at a standstill.

The pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) held the picket outside FedEx Air Operations Center, 3131 Democrat Road, with the threat of striking a growing possibility as negotiations have now lasted two years.

During a media availability session, Capt. Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council, said the two sides “started with a number of obstacles” and now only have pay, duration of the contract and “lost pay” over the lack of no pay increases the past 2⅟₂ years to sort out.

“We’re in negotiations as we speak,” Norman said. “Our negotiating team is sitting down with the company right now. They started at 9:30 a.m. this morning and they have today, tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday), are our only scheduled periods of mediated negotiations that we still have.”

The picket came one week after union members voted overwhemingly to authorize union leaders to call a strike if necessary in order to reach a new agreement.

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FedEx issued an updated statement Wednesday afternoon following the union’s informational picket.

“FedEx continues to negotiate for a new collective bargaining agreement with our pilots under the supervision of the National Mediation Board and is committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to our pilots, our other team members, and all FedEx stakeholders. We are confident we can reach a comprehensive agreement while continuing to deliver outstanding service to our customers. Informational picketing is a common occurrence during negotiations and does not impact our service.”

Each of the pilots dressed in uniform held numerous signs including ones stating: “Drive? What happened to People Service Profit” — references to both FedEx’s new company initiative FedEx Drive and long-standing philosophy by founder Fred Smith.

Other signs held by the pilots stated “Ready to strike”, “FedEx has failed to deliver” and “Now is the time! contract 2021” — a reference to negotiations being ongoing since 2021. A few Southwest and Delta pilots also stood alongside the FedEx pilots in solidarity.

The pilots have been in contract negotiations with FedEx management since May 2021.The pilots are seeking adjustments to their pensions and other benefits. The most updated contract signed by FedEx pilots in 2015. The ALPA and FedEx management have been in mediation since November 2022.

FedEx pilots picketed in Memphis last summer and the New York Stock Exchange in April to voice frustrations about not reaching an agreement.

The union has to clear more obstacles before a strike is possible. The National Mediation Board would first have to release the two sides from mediation.

Norman mentioned there are other steps FedEx pilots can take before going on strike such as no overtime flying.

Then, after a 30-day cooling-off period, both parties could exercise self-help including a strike by the union or a lockout by management.

“At the end of that, without federal intervention, we could be on strike,” Norman said.

Omer Yusuf covers the Ford project in Haywood County, FedEx, tourism and banking for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached via email Omer.Yusuf@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @OmerAYusuf.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: FedEx pilots picket in Memphis for new contract: The latest