Pilots Say Emery Violating Contract

Emery Worldwide Airlines is violating the labor contract with its pilots by flying its cargo on aircraft of other companies, the pilots’ union said in a grievance against Emery.

The Emery chapter of the Air Line Pilots Assn. said that and companion grievances it filed could shut down Emery Worldwide’s freight operations in 60 days if the union wins in an arbitration process. Emery’s main cargo hub operates at Dayton (Ohio) International Airport.

Emery Worldwide furloughed about 800 people Monday, including its pilots and other airline personnel, when it suspended its flights for at least 30 days under pressure from the Federal Aviation Administration on safety concerns.

Since the Monday furloughs, Emery has been using contract carriers to deliver cargo to its customers. Management said it has kept up with customers’ demands since then.

Nancy Colvert, spokeswoman for Emery’s parent company, CNF Inc. of Palo Alto, said the pilots are understandably upset because they are out of work.

“The union’s entitled to file grievances,” Colvert said. “We don’t think they have any basis.”

The company is working to resolve the FAA’s concerns to return Emery planes to the air as soon as possible, Colvert said.