House Judiciary Committee Plans Hearings on Competition in Air Shipping Industry
Focus to Include Proposed DHL/UPS Transaction

John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee today announced that the Committee’s Task Force on Competition Policy and Antitrust Laws will hold hearings in September on competition in the air shipping industry.  The hearings, requested by the Ohio congressional delegation, will include testimony on the proposed transaction between United Parcel Service (UPS) and DHL Worldwide Express (DHL), which would transfer responsibility for DHL shipments to UPS, as well as the impact of the previous consolidation of DHL and Emery Worldwide.

"A number of concerns have been raised regarding consolidation in the air freight business in general and the proposed consolidation involving DHL in particular, including the impact on jobs in the affected communities," said Conyers.  "I hope this hearing will allow all interested parties to make their case to the Committee on this important matter."

"I appreciate that Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith have answered our request to hold hearings on the DHL proposal,” said Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH). "This deal, if it is allowed to be completed, would have consequences beyond its devastating impact on our local, state, and national economy. It could also result in less competition in the domestic shipping market. This is why congressional hearings into this issue are so important. Hearings will allow our community and our nation to get more information from the people behind this decision."

"This merger brings up major concerns for our local economy and our working families," said Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH), a member of the Task Force. "Not only does it have the potential to cut 6,000 jobs from the Wilmington, OH area, but the loss of competition may have serious implications for consumers. I am disturbed by these possible job cuts and I look forward to working with my colleagues to examine this issue further.  I thank Chairman Conyers for his leadership and willingness to hold a hearing on this important issue."