Senator Sherrod Brown

CLEVELAND, OHIO – In response to today’s announcement by DHL, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today issued the following statement:
 
“I am deeply distressed by today’s announcement by DHL. The Ohio Congressional delegation, the governor, ABX, ASTAR, and Wilmington-area workers offered to work out a plan to help keep the company viable and save Ohio jobs. It saddens me that DHL refused to consider any proposal.
 
“The first thing we must do is secure all available emergency assistance for the workers and their families. I call on Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to award emergency funds to the area, immediately.
 
“DHL, for its part, needs to file WARN notices for every worker immediately, so that all available federal emergency funds make their way to Wilmington-area families.  I wrote to DHL Express Chief Executive Officer John Mullen last Friday to urge this and today’s announcement makes it all the more urgent.   I also call on DHL to make clear its plans for severance and assistance to the thousands of workers who face unemployment.
 
“While DHL today announced it will no longer operate in the domestic shipping market, it does appear that DHL will still need to keep a U.S. presence for its international operation. On behalf of the tens of thousands of ABX, ASTAR, and DHL families feeling betrayed today, I urge DHL to keep this presence in Wilmington.
 
“Ohio put out the welcome mat for DHL five years ago. Today, Ohio families feel a door slammed in their faces. DHL has an opportunity to mitigate some of the damage it has brought upon the community by being a good corporate citizen and working with the state in the use of the air park and in ensuring acceptable severance packages.”