DHL Express faces a strike threat at a key airline partner in the USA in a long-running dispute over working conditions.
Pilots employed by Kalitta Air, which operates a fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft in support of the global network of DHL Express, have voted overwhelmingly, by 213-7, to authorize a strike against the US-based cargo airline, the Teamsters union announced. In the ballot, 92% of eligible pilots voted and 97% of these pilots voted to authorize a strike.
The pilot group is represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Airline Division, Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224. This unit also represents pilots at other DHL partner airlines, ABX Air, Atlas Air and Southern Air, Inc. Following the announcement of the strike authorization vote, union leadership at those carriers pledged to support the Kalitta pilots in the event of a strike.
"The pilots of Kalitta Air have sent a strong message to the airline's management and their customers, including DHL, and potential customers," said Scott Nelson, the elected chairman of the APA Teamsters Local 1224 Kalitta Air Executive Council. "Our members are prepared to strike over management delay tactics, violations of federal law, mistreatment of pilots and their continuing refusal to agree to a significantly-improved labour contract."
Contract negotiations are currently subject to mediation efforts by the National Mediation Board, the federal agency that oversees labour relations in the airline and railroad industries. The union said it has several initiatives planned for early 2016 aimed at publicizing the escalating labour dispute with Kalitta Air.
The union said that negotiations with the management started in October 2010 but the company delayed responding to union wage and benefit proposals for more than two-and-half years. On Oct. 30, 2015, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan issued an injunction against the carrier for violating federal labour laws. Union communications have complained about persistent unprofessional conduct by managers and expressed alarm over the number of pilots that are considering leaving Kalitta Air for other airlines.
Kalitta Air is a privately-owned cargo airline founded in 2000 that operates a fleet of 22 B747 freighters on behalf of various customers, according to the company website.
