Pilots' Union, Airborne Express At Odds

WILMINGTON, Ohio (AP) — The union for Airborne Express pilots has filed a federal lawsuit against the Seattle-based overnight-delivery company and is starting a protest against what it says is intimidation of flight crews over safety issues.

The union, Airline Professionals Association Local 1224, said Thursday that pilots will refuse voluntary overtime and will set up informational pickets.

Union officials say Capt. Charlie Rodenberg was fired after he refused to conduct a flight safety test of a DC-8 jet Sept. 23, just after the aircraft had undergone repairs. Mr. Rodenberg maintained he and his flight crew were not qualified to conduct the test, according to the union's complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati.

Management says Mr. Rodenberg and two other crew members refused to conduct a test that has long been considered routine safety procedure and refused to say why they would not fly the jet.

The other crew members signed waivers admitting they were wrong to follow Mr. Rodenberg's lead and were suspended without pay for 60 days, company spokesman Tom Branigan said.

The union says the crew was forced to sign the waivers and that this and Mr. Rodenberg's firing violated federal law.

The union has asked U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott for a temporary order against the company. She has scheduled a hearing for next month.