Around 6,000 DHL Teamsters are in negotiations for the national contract that expires on March 31. That date is a firm strike deadline.

DHL is a core Teamster industry where successful organizing drives have added thousands of members in the past several years.

Most DHL Teamsters work under a national agreement, with area supplements. (Newly organized DHL Teamsters at the CVG air hub in Kentucky Local 89 and Cincinnati Local 100 work under a separate contract. DHL Teamsters in Chicago Local 705 also have a separate agreement.)

At the national level, a key issue is subcontracting and protecting DHL Teamster work. Increasing PTO and retirement benefits are also priorities.

The national negotiating committee is meeting this week in Washington, DC. Additional bargaining dates are scheduled for March.

The agreement expires on March 31st, and the IBT has stated that “there will be no extensions and that all supplemental bargaining must be completed before any national agreement is finalized.” 

Militant Tactics Make DHL Deliver

DHL Teamsters have proven they are willing to use militant tactics to win. 

In 2024, DHL stalled out negotiations with workers at the CVG hub who had won their union election.

Workers were able to defeat the union-busters thanks to a militant tactic: extending picket lines.

When the ramp workers went on strike for a first contract, they extended their picket lines to DHL hubs in 15 cities, where DHL Teamsters who work under the national contract honored their picket lines.

By joining forces with 6,000 DHL Teamsters across the country, CVG workers crippled the company’s operations during crucial peak season weeks—and won.

DHL Teamsters who work under the national agreement have respected extended strike lines to help other DHL workers win Teamster contracts. Now, they’re fighting for the contract they deserve.