March 8 (Reuters) - FedEx Express pilots represented by

the Air Line Pilots Association union have asked the National

Mediation Board to end mediation with the company, a potential

move toward strike action to secure a new agreement, the union

said on Friday.

The federal mediation started in October 2022, more than a

year after the union and the company started negotiating a new

agreement.

A tentative agreement, which offered a 30% pay increase and

improved pension benefits, was rejected in July last year, with

mediated discussions resuming in November.

"FedEx ( FDX ) pilot leaders have become increasingly frustrated

with management's lack of movement on key contract sections,"

according to the union.

FedEx ( FDX ) did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.

FedEx ( FDX ) pilots are currently working under a contract arrived

at in 2015, and negotiations over a new agreement began in 2021.

Aviators are enjoying a strong bargaining power as resilient

demand and a tight labor market in the sector have motivated

pilots to push for better contracts with airlines and parcel

firms.