ASTAR Air Cargo crewmembers, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International, on Friday moved to protect their jobs flying for DHL.

Union members on Friday filed an expedited grievance with the ALPA/ASTAR System Board requesting a full investigation of and hearings on contract violations that might result from the proposed agreement between DHL and UPS.

In late May, DHL said it would shift its North American domestic airlift to UPS, phasing out its reliance on ASTAR, which currently carries approximately 50 percent of the Deutsche Post subsidiary's U.S. air freight.

In the grievance, ALPA seeks a cease and desist order against any transfer of flying now performed by ALPA-represented pilots to UPS. It also asks for a ruling that DHL is bound by representations it made during a collective bargaining session and by the terms of the agreement.

"Our first priority is to make sure every aspect of our contract is respected by DHL," said Capt. John Prater, president of ALPA. "While the contract requires that we file this grievance with ASTAR, we have also informed DHL of our actions. Not only will we allow DHL to fully participate in the investigation and subsequent hearings -- we encourage it."

In May, DHL moved to shore up its faltering U.S. business through a reliance on its chief competitor rather than ASTAR, of which it owns 49 percent. During contract negotiations with the pilots' union in February, DHL endorsed commitments to job security. The union said DHL did not mention any negotiations with UPS at the time.