DHL Express strike ends across US
19 / 12 / 2023
DHL plane at CVG. Photo: RDNichols/ Shutterstock
DHL has struck a “tentative deal” to end a 12-day strike by DHL Express workers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).
1,100 DHL Express workers began the strike at CVG on December 7.
The following week they were joined in solidarity by other DHL workers at facilities across the US.
Workers involved in the strike are members of Teamsters Local 100, part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters trade union.
“After being forced out on strike by DHL Express, Teamsters Local 100 has reached a tentative agreement covering 1,100 ramp and tug workers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG),” said the Teamsters union in a statement today.
“The tentative agreement brings an immediate end to the 12-day unfair labour practice strike.
“Following around-the-clock negotiations, the tentative agreement includes better workplace safety, higher wages, and improved benefits. The final tentative agreement will be presented to Local 100 members at CVG for a ratification vote as soon as possible.”
DHL Group said in a statement received by Air Cargo News today: “DHL Express has seen job actions by members of the Teamsters union at different sites in the US during the week and has proactively deployed contingency plans to ensure that our customers receive the high service levels they expect from us at this important time of the year for their businesses.
“We have maintained normal operations across our network, including our CVG Hub, while working to minimize the potential disruptions that can typically occur within our industry during peak season (due to weather, volume surges etc.).”
DHL added it was in “ongoing contract negotiations with the US Teamsters representing a portion of our employees at our Cincinnati (CVG) Global Hub”.
“We remain committed to bargain in good faith with the employee representatives at CVG Hub,” said the company.
The company reiterated it had been prepared for the the industrial action “and preemptively put measures in place – including additional staffing and rerouting of shipments”.
“We expect to continue operating sufficient capacity across all locations during the peak period,” said the company.
The industrial action threatened to disrupt operations during the peak season, but last week DHL Express confirmed it diverted freighter flights away from CVG to avoid air cargo operational disruption ahead of the strike.
CVG is the main international hub in the US for DHL Express. The hub facilitates 130 daily DHL flights and is home to a fleet of 60 DHL aircraft.
At CVG, DHL handles shipments bound for the US, Canada, Mexico and Latin America, and processes approximately 50m international shipments annually.
