UPS aircraft mechanics picket outside Amazon in Jeffersonville

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- With signs in hand, about 75 to 100 aircraft mechanics from UPS gathered outside of the Amazon fulfillment center in Jeffersonville Monday.

Amazon depends on UPS to deliver thousands of packages to its customers every day. That's why workers decided to picket there to send the message that they're ready to strike if company leaders refuse to meet their demands.

Members of Teamsters Local 2727 say they hope that the message is received.

They've been at an impasse with bargaining since March. The only issue union workers say they still have with the contract are medical benefits. They say UPS wants to increase health care costs by more than 400% during the first year of a new contract.

Workers are currently voting on whether to authorize union leaders to call for a strike. Taking a strike authorization vote doesn't necessarily mean a strike will happen. Even if the vote passes, both sides would then go to a mediator who would have to decide whether the mechanics could strike.

Because aircraft mechanics do everything from servicing planes to making sure flights arrive safely and on time Union president Tim Boyle says if those workers are not on the job, planes carrying packages could be delayed.

"Our mechanics are very important to the on-time delivery of packages," Boyle said. Not only at the holiday season, but these days, Amazon and the other companies have so much volume that it goes beyond the holiday season, it's year-round now. They have to realize there's a very real threat of a strike. Unless UPS starts bargaining in good faith, that's the direction we're headed in."

However, Mike Mangeot says customers should expect no impact on deliveries.

"It is posturing," Mangeot said. "It is very typical of many types of contract negotiations. To have an authorization to strike, to do picketing. In the end, they have little to no impact on talks, and energies are best left at the table."

Mangeot says the National Mediation Board controls the pace and timing of negotiations and that customers are in good hands well through the holidays.