Pilots at ABX Air — a cargo carrier that services DHL Express and Amazon — went on strike Tuesday, potentially disrupting shipping processes days before the holiday shopping season kicks off, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Here are four things to know.
- The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 — the union representing the pilots — said in a news release ABX Air has been "significantly understaffed" for the past two years, forcing pilots to work "emergency assignments" on their off time, which violates the union contract.
- The pilots are picketing ABX Air and will not fly scheduled routes, reports WSJ. So far, about 75 flights have been cancelled, according to the union.
- The strike has left planes grounded at an Amazon hub in Wilmington, Ohio, and a DHL hub in Cincinnati. DHL said inbound deliveries to parts of the U.S. will be delayed as a result of the strike, reports WSJ. Amazon said it works with various carriers and is "confident in our ability to serve customers," according to the report.
- Air Transport Services Group, the parent company of ABX Air, referred to the strike as an illegal work stoppage. ABX Air President John Starkovich said the company is seeking a court order to force the pilots to return to work, according to the report.
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