DHL Announces 6,000 Job Cuts

The hiring of UPS would lead to the elimination of about 6,000 of ABX Air’s 7,000 jobs at the freight hub.

DHL’s night air freight operation that ABX operates would no longer be needed because UPS has its own air freight sorting system and facilities.

News Center 7 learned on Friday that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland plans to meet with corporate leaders at ABX, perhaps as early as next week.

Strickland is hoping to find out exactly what timetable the company is working on for changes at the air hub.

The governor’s chief economic development developer said they will make one last push to keep the jobs in Wilmington, and do all they can to help employees.

Mark Barbash said, “Right now the most important thing we need to do is have direct communication with DHL to emphasize to them the importance of keeping the jobs there. That’s number one. Number two is the thing we need to do is once DHL makes a decision that we do everything we can to help the folks who are working for DHL or Airstar to find alternative employment.”

The state has sunk more than $7 million into direct financial aid for ABX in Wilmington.