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> Do you think the petitions will help?
Monday, July 14, 2008
WILMINGTON — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, on Monday, July 14, delivered petitions opposing plans by the air cargo company DHL to ally itself with United Parcel Service.
After emerging from DHL's offices on July 14, Brown said he met briefly with Mike Schmitt, director of operations for DHL's hub in Wilmington, and delivered the petitions to Schmitt after rallying outside the building with workers from DHL, ABX Air and ASTAR Air Cargo.
The senator also laid out steps being taken by the federal government to deal with a proposed plan by Deutsche Post, owner of DHL, to move at least DHL's air-freight operations to UPS' hub in Louisville, Ky. If DHL moved these operations, as well as ground transport and overseas packaging operations to Kentucky, it could cost the region 8,200 jobs.
In May, the cargo carriers announced a tentative agreement calling for DHL to hire UPS under a 10-year contract. DHL says that such a pact could stem domestic operational losses it said were $900 million last year and would top $1 billion this year.
Brown's intervention came after workers for DHL, ABX and ASTAR tried to deliver the 9,600-signature petitions to the company on June 30, but had to leave them with a security guard rather than DHL executives.
Brown said his staff is working with that of Sen. Herb Kohl to investigate potential antitrust issues related to the deal. Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat, chairs the Senate's antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights subcommittee. Lawmakers cannot hold hearings on the DHL situation until the company reaches a final agreement with UPS, Brown said. Federal officials are looking at DHL's contracts with the U.S. government, the senator said.
Brown said he also has asked the Bush administration to help speed up a Justice Department review of the deal and also discussed potential uses of the facility by the federal government if DHL does leave.
Also on July 14, a coalition of workers and community leaders delivered the same petition to the state capitol. Mark Barbash, chief economic development officer for the Ohio Department of Development, accepted the petition from members of Save The Jobs, said Keith Dailey, a spokesman for the governor.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7317 or ttresslar@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Mike W
July 17, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Drill in ANWR. Dril in the Gulf. Drill everywhere. I am sick and tired of environmental wackos and know nothing politicians destroying our energy industry and then pointing fingers at everyone else. The oil companies are not drilling on the land they hold leases for because there is not enough oil there to make it profitable. Surely even Mr Yoder realizes that big oil is greedy and would surely pump oil if it were there. Comrade Yoder you have no right to control corporations
By True-Blue Home-Grown AMERICAN
July 16, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Hey, send the Germans home. They have no business in the United States anyway. We are giving & selling our country away. Our companies go to other countries & other countries are coming here. What’s the deal. We are making a mess for our future generations. Keep our companies & jobs here & let the other countries do the same. I hate supporting the whole world.
By Gregory Yoder
July 15, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Stay out of ANWAR. Bush’s billionaire buddies aren’t telling us about the hundreds of oil leases they haven’t used.
We not only have right, we have an obligation to control corporations that we allow to operate in our country.
“I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country.” Thomas Jefferson, 1812
By David A. Wildermuth
July 15, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Stay out of this Senator! This is America where business and individuals have a right to make their own economic decisions without the interference of Government.
Get back to work and open up drilling on the continental shelf and ANWR, make the 2003 tax cuts permanent so we can get this economy rolling again!
Respectfully,
David A. Wildermuth
By Marlene
July 15, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
they should be losing money with the way they manage business!!! Shadowing and second guessing ABX management and people. Interfering and yelling at employees trying to do their jobs is uncalled for yet they get away with this. They come to the United States with a mind set that doesn’t work in our social structure, why do you think their country is so poor and unsuccessful?
By Wayne Witt
July 15, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
NO! They run a business not a charity. They must remain profitable. It’s unfortunate that people will lose their jobs but it happens everywhere. Senator Brown delivering those petitions is a political stunt to garner votes. Hey Senator…make it easier for businesses to do business in Ohio instead of grandstanding.