November 17, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

RE: Federal Express and FedEx Pilots Association (FPA)

The National Mediation Board (NMB) today announced it is continuing to explore options with Federal Express and FedEx Pilots Associations (FPA), the labor organization representing Federal Express pilots. The NMB previously asked the parties to refrain from making any public comment on the nature of these options or the status of any discussions occurring with the Board's assistance. The NMB again renewed its direction to the parties in this regard. Chairwoman Magdalena Jacobsen confirmed that the NMB requested both parties "to focus on the issues and lower the level of their public rhetoric. Agreements are made at the bargaining table-not in the press, the courts or the crew room." The Board currently has taken no formal position on whether to assert jurisdiction over this dispute. The involvement of the NMB, to date, is without prejudice to the parties' positions in a pending lawsuit filed by FPA challenging NMB jurisdiction over the dispute. The Board will continue to monitor the situation and, in keeping with its direction to the parties, does not plan to comment on the status and nature of the discussions.