US judge orders striking ABX Air pilots back to work

© Ivan Cholakov

“Imagine Christmas without Amazon,” said Judge Black, as he ruled that ABX Air’s striking pilots go back to work immediately.  The US court yesterday issued a temporary restraining order forcing ABX’s aircraft back in the air, and pilots back into arbitration. The pilots urged ATSG to stop spending time in court, and instead take “real steps to hire and retain” skilled pilots. Dan Wells, president of Teamsters Local 1224, said: “Pilots should not have to go on strike to get back provisions of a contract that was taken away from them just to ensure they have adequate rest and time with their families, but ABX executives’ inability to manage its business has forced pilots and their families to compromise for too long.” Both Amazon and DHL said they had made other arrangements, with some airlines reporting additional, sudden demand for US e-commerce deliveries.