Pilot Strike Affects Amazon, DHL Cargo Airline

Pilots at cargo airline ABX Air, which handles freight for Amazon and DHL, went on strike on Tuesday.

The strike by about 250 pilots comes as the US heads into the busy holiday shopping season.

The Teamsters union said ABX Air has violated its contract over the last two years by forcing pilots to work excessive emergency hours. It says ABX has insufficient staff to meet increasing demand.

“To date in 2016, pilots have been scheduled to cover over 8000 emergency assignment days on days they should have had off,” the union said in a statement. “ABX Air and ATSG are refusing to honour contractual provisions regarding compensatory time and vacation time in order to cover the pilot deficit.”

“We will seek a court order later today to restore the status quo operating environment, even as we continue discussions with union representatives about specific issues of concern," ABX Air President John Starkovich said.

Around 75 flights were affected during Tuesday, with 45 operated for DHL, and 35 for Amazon each day.