ITF global delivery network
US pilots’ union files lawsuit against DHL
1 August 2008
An ITF-affiliated pilots’ union, based in the US, has taken out a lawsuit against DHL for alleged breach of contract and fraudulent inducement.
The Air Line Pilots Association (Alpa) filed the lawsuit earlier this week in the Court of Common Pleas in Clinton, Ohio, where DHL’s major sorting centre is located. The union claims that the company’s plans to transfer its north American air cargo operations from Astar to UPS breaches job security commitments the company made under the current employment contract. The suit also alleges that DHL fraudulently induced Alpa to dismiss earlier lawsuits against the company by promising to underwrite job security commitments, even as it engaged in covert discussions with UPS concerning a transfer of operations.
Alpa is asking the court to prevent DHL from moving its flying work from Astar to UPS and calling on the court to award Astar pilots compensatory and punitive damages, as well as legal expenses.
“We’re going to fight this agreement in every way we can — including in the courts,” said Captain John Prater, President of Alpa. “Ten thousand hard-working Americans are depending on us to help save their jobs and communities. DHL has let them down — we won’t.”
DHL is Astar’s main client and owns 49 per cent of the company. If the transfer of operations goes ahead, some 10,000 jobs could be at risk.
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