DHL’s AEI employees in U.S. approve new contract

The nearly 800 workers of Air Express International (AEI), a U.S. subsidiary of DHL Global Forwarding and Deutche Post-DHL of Bonn, Germany, have overwhelmingly approved a new national contract.    The nearly 800 workers at Air Express International (AEI), a U.S. subsidiary of DHL Global Forwarding an Deutche Post-DHL of Bonn, Germany, have approved a new national contract.
   “Despite AEI posting losses in the United States over the past three years stemming from the failed implementation of a 2016 new freight processing system, we were able to negotiate wage increases in each year of the new three-year contract, along with hourly contribution increases to maintain full health and welfare benefits over the next three years,” said Bill Hamilton, director of the Teamsters Express Division, in a March 16 statement.
   The new contract also maintains existing working conditions and protections for the AEI employees.
   “Fortunately, AEI seems to have stabilized itself over the past six months, which is good news for the Teamsters employed there and the air freight industry in general,” Hamilton said. “We thank the membership for its patience and faith in the bargaining process over the past several months.”
   AEI Teamsters from nine local unions also ratified nine regional or supplemental contracts.
   AEI was formerly known as Danzas-AEI, an air and ocean transportation company which DP-DHL acquired nearly 20 years ago. The new contract is retroactive for all economic improvements to Jan. 1, 2018 and runs through Dec. 31, 2020.