Teamsters Local 100 DHL workers in Cincinnati earn first contract

Business Agent for Teamsters Local 100, Nick Prather, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Local 100, and their organizing win that led to a first contract for a group of DHL workers at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Prather also discussed the Unfair Labor Practices filed against DHL during the campaign and what it took to finally get a first contract after 6 months of negotiations.

Teamsters Local 100 is home to 5,200 members in the Cincinnati area. A little more than 2,000 members work with UPS, including delivery drivers, where Prather started. Prather discussed his start with the union and how he got to his current position. He also talked about the ongoing organizing efforts, including more DHL workers who were not part of the bargaining units organized in 2023.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is home to one of America's largest air delivery hub. Local 100 was able to organize DHL’s ramp and tug workers. The workers were part of a unit responsible for loading and unloading the freight coming in and out of CVG. Prather discussed the education that went into their organizing efforts and how they successfully developed leaders in the unit throughout the organizing campaign. Workers voted at a 5:3 ratio in favor of becoming members of Teamsters Local 100. 

There were several Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) filed throughout the campaign. From surveillance, misinformation, changes to the status quo and safety violations, there were several occasions where the employer attempted to prevent the organizing efforts. Prather talked about the intimidation efforts the employer utilized and shared specific examples of what workers experienced. First contract negotiations began in July 2023, and after several meetings with no progress, Prather discussed the 12-day strike that helped to earn workers a fair contract.

Hear more from Prather on the first contract earned by DHL workers by playing the show above.