UPS strikes tentative agreement with aircraft mechanics

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - After more than a year of negotiating, UPS and union officials struck a tentative contract agreement Tuesday that could make the company&#39;s aircraft mechanics some of the highest paid in the industry. <br> <br> The five-year contract would be retroactive to August 1, 2001 and remain in effect until November 1, 2006. <br> <br> It covers 1,140 aircraft mechanics, flight simulator technicians, utility workers and maintenance controllers working for UPS Airlines. <br> <br> Teamster Local 2727, which represents the aircraft mechanics, must still vote on the deal. <br> <br> A spokesman for UPS Airlines in Louisville, Kentucky, Mark Giuffre, said ``The contract is an industry leading contract that makes the mechanics the highest paid in the industry.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> He said in the contract&#39;s final year, some aircraft mechanics would earn the top rate of $43 per hour. <br> <br> Giuffre said the contract also includes enhancements to pension plans and health benefits, although he did not have additional details. <br> <br> The biggest obstacles had been wage progressions, new-hire wage rates, retiree medical coverage and pension and 401-k benefits, according to documents. <br> <br> UPS, based in Atlanta, is the world&#39;s largest transportation company.