DHL is now facing strife across the US as workers step up strike activity following the start of industrial action at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) earlier this month.
Employees at DHL Express have expanded their picket lines to multiple locations across the US, including Boston and Los Angeles. More are also expected to join the industrial action.
Over 1,100 DHL Express workers who are members of Teamsters Local 100, part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters trade union, began a strike against labour conditions at CVG on December 7.
Last week DHL Express confirmed it diverted freighter flights away from CVG to avoid air cargo operational disruption ahead of the strike.
But the Teamsters union represent more than 6,000 members at DHL across the US, and the strike action has potential for widespread supply chain disruption during what is traditionally the peak season for air cargo.
“Teamsters across the country have honoured our picket lines and demonstrated an impressive display of solidarity,” said Bill Davis, president of Local 100.
“As pickets expand to even more cities in the coming days, DHL will feel the pain even more profoundly. Instead of playing games, I strongly recommend that DHL rectify their unfair labor practices, return to the bargaining table, and begin negotiating with us in good faith immediately.”
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.
Aside from DHL Express, cargo carriers operating at CVG include Alaska Air Cargo, American Cargo, Delta Cargo, FedEx, Southwest Cargo, and United Cargo.
