Fly By Night: MEC Chair Update – October 2026

SPEAKER_1 (0:07)

You're listening to Fly By Night, a podcast by FDX Pilots for FDX Pilots. Brought to you by the FDX Master Executive Council of the Airline Pilots Association.

And now, here's your host, Mec Communications Chair, Captain Chris Lee.

Chris Lee (0:22)

My guest today is Mec Chair, Captain Jose Nieves. Jose, thanks for stopping by.

Jose Nieves (0:26)

Well, thanks for having me back, Chris.

Chris Lee (0:29)

There's been a lot going on lately. Let's start with the Middle East. Can you update the pilots on what's happening there?

Jose Nieves (0:35)

Oh, absolutely. On September 19, FedEx Management notified us about a security issue involving two of our flights into Riyadh. One aircraft was on the ground and the other one was in flight and diverted to Moscow. Immediately, our security and safety leadership, along with the Mec officers, became involved and both crews ultimately got safely out of the area.

Following that event, represented from security, from safety, from scheduling, from fatigue, and the negotiating committee met to discuss the situation. Then, on September 22, the company announced a limited return to the Dubai operations. The Mec was not consulted before the company made a decision to resume Dubai flying.

Our safety and security reps did not participate in developing the company's safety risk assessments or provide input into those assessments that were brief after the fact. ALPA subsequently proposed adding countries to the existing Iraq and Afghanistan LOA, including provisions that allow pilots to decline that flying. So, we continue to follow conditions in the region, and we will communicate additional information to the pilots as necessary.

Chris Lee (2:08)

Well, Jose, let's move to the new contract. Can you talk some about how implementation is going?

Jose Nieves (2:13)

Well, absolutely. As everyone knows, the new CBA became effective on June 29th, and implementation is occurring in phases.

As a reminder, phase two items will be effective the first day of the December 2026 BIT period, and the December BIT month starts November 30th. If you encounter a contract or implementation issue, please report it so contract enforcement and the property committees can look into your issues. Darts are extremely important, and if you don't tell us, we cannot help you to try to fix the situation.

Chris Lee (2:58)

Since you mentioned contract enforcement, are there any other updates with CE that you'd like to talk to the pilots about?

Jose Nieves (3:04)

Yes, I do. We review the grievance and contract enforcement operation based on workload, the resources needed to administer and enforce the new agreement. Everybody knows that contract enforcement is extremely important. So we made the business case to add an additional legal council, and it has been approved for the FDX Mec office to have this new legal council, and is expected to start in 2027 or maybe earlier. In addition, we also made a business case for an additional contract enforcement position has also been approved at the national level. I will come before the Mec for final approval in the upcoming October meeting.

Not only that, we're also realigning some responsibilities within the department. And the purpose for that is to have the resources in place to administer and enforce the agreement and address any contractual issues brought to us by you, our pilots.

Chris Lee (4:16)

Jose, the pilots know we put out a positive rate email newsletter every week. Is there anything in this week's edition that you'd like to highlight?

Jose Nieves (4:25)

Yes, Chris. As we approach peak, I will encourage pilots to read the information from the Fatigue Risk Management Committee.

Extra flying has increased, and revisions can affect pilots throughout the system. There is information on managing 24-hour layovers and assessing your level of fatigue. There is also information about the Karma Checklist, which helps a fatigue pilot work through a fatigue call. Pilots can access it through the SIG app, the Contact Locker, or the Fatigue Risk Management Committee page. I will encourage pilots to become familiar with those resources before they need them.

Chris Lee (5:06)

We also have information in the Positive Rate on open enrollment and pilot benefit seminars. Can you talk to the pilots about that?

Jose Nieves (5:15)

Absolutely, yes. The annual enrollment for the 2027 benefits runs from October 13 through October 28

The Retirement and Insurance Committee is also conducting benefits seminar on October 20 Pilots can attend Memphis or virtually, and spouses are always encouraged to participate. The seminar will cover FedEx and ALPA benefits, including health care, life insurance, disability, and retirement.

Chris Lee (5:48)

Another blurb we had in the Positive Rate addresses the Online Pilot Survey. Can you talk to the pilots about that?

Jose Nieves (5:54)