UPS pilots union says it will honor Teamsters picket line if strike happens

foxbusiness.com:

Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien tells ‘Your World with Neil Cavuto’ UPS may be delaying reporting its profits to have a better negotiating position with the union.

If the Teamsters strike against UPS, they will be joined in solidarity by a separate union of UPS pilots.

The Independent Pilots Association (IPA) told FOX Business Friday that should the Teamsters picket, it will honor them. 

That confirmation comes after IPA President Bob Travis had committed to doing so in a letter earlier this month, saying the IPA would «act in sympathy with our fellow workers at UPS by not working.»

«No one wants a work stoppage, but should a legal IBT strike be initiated, you and the IBT can count on the IPA for support,» he wrote to the Teamsters. 

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A Boeing 767 freighter in UPS colors takes off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash.  (Boeing)

CNN earlier reported on the IPA’s promise to do so. Over 3,300 pilots who fly for UPS belong to the union, according to the IPA’s website.

The July 31 expiration date for the contract UPS has with the roughly 340,000 workers represented by the Teamsters is rapidly approaching, meaning workers could start picketing if a deal is not reached.

UPS, TEAMSTERS TO RESUME TALKS AS STRIKE DEADLINE NEARS

The sides are scheduled to resume talks in the coming week, and UPS said it was «pleased to be back at the negotiating table next week to resolve the few remaining open issues.» 

The company also said it was «prepared to increase our industry-leading pay and benefits.» 

The resumption of talks will come after a two-week pause preceded by a breakdown in negotiations.

«Unless we have an agreement on July 31 that secures the pay, dignity, and respect our