the union representing United Parcel Service Inc. pilots and the delivery giant is getting more serious. The Independent Pilots Association says they think they’re nearing an impasse in negotiations that have gone on for nearly five years and that a formal decision by federal mediators on a stalemate could be coming soon, the WSJ’s Laura Stevens reports. The package carrier is scheduled to present its closing position on its final contract proposal next week, and a formal finding of an impasse would start a clock ticking down toward possible job actions—including a strike. There would still be breathing room in the calendar, since the two sides would move into a 30-day cooling off period before any actions could come. UPS says its still negotiating in good faith, and several parcel industry observers say the first walkout by the pilots in their 25-year history under UPS Airlines remains unlikely.

Source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/todays-top-supply-chain-and-logistics-news-from-wsj-1461061171