‍DALLAS — Labor unrest has surfaced at one of the world’s most recognizable cargo airlines. On September 29, 2025, the FedEx Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) issued a formal vote of no confidence in FedEx CEO Rajesh Subramaniam, signaling deepening divisions between leadership and the carrier’s pilot group just ahead of the company’s annual stockholder meeting.

A Rejection of Strategy

The MEC—representing more than 5,000 FedEx (FX) pilots—charged that Subramaniam has steered the company away from its founding ethos of “People-Service-Profit,” established by founder Fred Smith, and toward a model that prioritizes restructuring. Initiatives such as One FedEx, DRIVE, Network 2.0, and Tricolor, the pilots argue, prioritize efficiency and margins at the expense of employee trust and operational stability.

“When Mr. Subramaniam assumed the role of CEO in June 2022, he inherited an enterprise built on an inspirational philosophy championed by founder Fred Smith,” the MEC wrote. “In contrast, Mr. Subramaniam has prioritized corporate restructuring initiatives… over people and purpose.”

Symbolic but Strategic

While votes of no confidence carry no binding power, their timing can shape perceptions. With shareholders preparing to weigh corporate performance, the MEC’s declaration underscores growing unease over whether FX’s cost-cutting drive is undermining its people-first identity.

The pilots say employee trust has eroded and warn that loyalty and reliability—the cornerstones of FX’s premium service—are at risk in a fiercely competitive logistics market. Rivals UPS, Amazon’s expanding logistics arm, and regional carriers are all putting pressure on FedEx’s global network.

Broader Labor Context

The dispute also reflects unresolved contract negotiations. Unlike UPS (5X) pilots, who secured an extended deal in 2023 after hard bargaining, FX pilots remain without a new contract. Labor costs are increasingly under investor scrutiny, primarily as FX pursues billions in savings through restructuring.

What Comes Next

FedEx has not yet responded to the pilots’ statement. For now, the vote highlights a widening credibility gap between frontline aviators and senior leadership. Whether the board heeds the call to “realign the company’s vision with its original people-focused philosophy” may shape both FXs labor relations and its competitive posture in the years ahead.

Source: Stephen Pope, AeroTime (October 1, 2025) – “FedEx pilots issue vote of no confidence in CEO Rajesh Subramaniam”