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FedEx Archives: 1998 Press Releases

( BW)(FEDERAL-EXPRESS)(FDX) FedEx Prepares to Serve Customers Despite FPA Job Action Threats; 140,000 FedEx Employees Will Provide Overnight and Deferred Delivery Services

    Business Editors

    MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1998--Federal Express Corp. ("FedEx") announced today that it will take steps to serve its customers regardless of further job action threats by Fedex Pilots Association (FPA) leadership.
    FedEx President and Chief Executive Officer Theodore L. Weise outlined contingency plans to employees as the FPA began polling its members on whether to authorize its board to call a strike against FedEx. The company's volumes are steady and customer service remains high. FedEx is prepared to continue its services to customers regardless of the outcome of the FPA balloting.
    The contingency plans FedEx is developing include:

-- Reconfiguring its U.S. domestic air system around FedEx pilots who
    would continue to fly, supplemented to the extent necessary by
    contract airlift;

-- Expanding the ground portion of its integrated network through
    contract trucking carriers;

-- Operating its international air network through the use of contract
    airlift.

    "We have the operational flexibility, the financial stability and the resolve to meet our customers' needs during the peak shipping season," Weise said. "About two percent of our employees are pilots; 98 percent of our employees will remain on the job, committed to delivering the reliable service our customers have come to expect from FedEx."
    "Our goal has been to negotiate a fair contract with our pilots. We have made generous offers which, if accepted, would have been among the best in the airline industry," said Weise. "FPA leadership continually rejected our proposals and throughout the process made demands that the company simply cannot afford while fulfilling its responsibilities to other FedEx employees, customers and shareholders. The company regrets that FPA has never presented a proposal which balances the needs of these groups."
    Federal Express, a subsidiary of FDX Corp., connects areas that generate 90% of the world's gross domestic product in 24-48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of more than 3 million items to 211 countries each working day. FedEx employs more than 143,000 employees and has more than 44,400 drop-off locations, 619 aircraft and 41,500 vehicles in its integrated global network. The company maintains electronic connections with more than a million customers via FedEx PowerShip(R), FedEx Ship(R) and FedEx interNetShip(R). Federal Express reported revenues of $13.3 billion for its fiscal year ended May 31, 1998.

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     CONTACT:  Federal Express Corp., Memphis
               FedEx Media Relations, 901/395-5007

     KEYWORD:  TENNESSEE
     INDUSTRY KEYWORD:  TRANSPORTATION TRAVEL/AIRLINES