DHL Express employees ratify Teamster national labor agreement

DHL Express U.S. employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters voted to ratify a new, historic national labor agreement between the Teamsters and DHL yesterday. The national agreement’s approval, following three weeks of voting among the affected employees’ groups, puts in place a five-year deal between the express package delivery company and the Union that represents the vast majority of its employees who handle customer shipments.

The new national collective bargaining agreement applies to practically all DHL’s unionized operations nationwide. The deal provides for increased operational flexibility that allows DHL to enhance labor resources management and improves its competitive position. It also provides for annual wage and benefit increases for DHL’s Teamster-represented workforce.

“The agreement is good for both parties and our continuing commitment to serve the U.S. market with great service performance,” said Hans Hickler, CEO, DHL Express, U.S.A. “It provides DHL Express employees with improved wages and benefits and it provides the company with the flexibility it needs to ensure DHL customers continue to receive the highest level of customer service they deserve.”

The agreement, covering approximately 10,000 DHL employees, also signifies a new chapter in the relationship between DHL and the Teamsters, which has steadily evolved since DHL acquired Airborne, Inc., in 2003. “It is my hope that this new national labor agreement will provide a great relationship-building opportunity for DHL and the Teamsters,” added Hickler. “We experienced a new spirit of openness and cooperation between the company’s management and the Teamsters’ leadership to arrive at an agreement that we believe is in the best interests of all parties involved.”