US Teamsters Deliver Message to DHL
In conjunction with the Deutsche Post World Net Annual General Meeting today in Cologne, Germany, thousands of DHL Teamsters throughout the United States wore “Teamsters Deliver” buttons to protest the company’s efforts to thwart organizing drives at hundreds of its ground delivery subcontractors.
At the same time, a Teamsters delegation met with German and other union officials to describe DPWN subsidiary DHL’s systematic efforts to prevent its subcontractors’ employees from forming unions in their workplaces.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
The union ver.di represents DHL and DPWN workers in Germany, the headquarters of DPWN. The Teamsters Union represents 10,000 DHL employees as well as 750 ABX Air pilots who provide air freight service to DHL in the United States.
Nearly 400 workers from coast to coast have lost their jobs because of severed agreements between DHL and its subcontractors following union organizing victories. Nearly 60 workers have been fired during organizing campaigns. Teamsters are picketing in Brewer, Maine, and Huntington, West Virginia, after DHL severed agreements and displaced workers in both locations.
“Because of DHL’s refusal to adequately finance its subcontractors and support its employees, nearly 500 men and women in the U.S. have lost their jobs,” said Tyson Johnson, International Vice President and National Freight Division Director. “DHL needs to know that this is no way to run its business in this country, and it is no way to become a viable competitor in this market.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States and Canada.
