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ABX Air Inc. projects that it will need only about 30 percent of its current work force of pilots if the company loses the Wilmington-based air freight business it provides to its biggest customer DHL, according to the union representing ABX pilots.

The company projects a need for about 170 pilots in a post-DHL era when ABX will need to fly fewer aircraft, compared with the current 650-pilot work force, said David Ross, president of Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224.

In May, DHL announced a cost-cutting, restructuring plan that will include hiring out its U.S. air cargo sorting and flying to United Parcel Service, to be done at the UPS hub in Louisville, Ky. Ohio officials said that will wipe out at least 8,200 jobs by the end of 2009 at DHL's Wilmington hub, from where ABX Air and competitor ASTAR Air Cargo now fly DHL's U.S. freight.

Ross said Wednesday, Sept. 3, that ABX Air is already pushing for contract concessions from the pilots for a post-DHL era. Ross said the company is linking that request to providing severance benefits for current pilots at risk of losing their jobs, and retention benefits for other pilots the company wants to keep, as DHL reduces the work it gives ABX.

Ross said ABX is taking that position even though DHL has already provided money ABX can use to provide the severance and retention benefits to pilots.

John Graber, ABX Air's president, said he would not respond to Ross' remarks. The company prefers to negotiate before the National Mediation Board which is guiding the talks between ABX and the pilots, Graber said.

The pilots' contract does not provide for severance benefits, but ABX believes the pilots should receive severance pay just as the company's nonunion workers do when they are laid off, Graber said.

The pilots' union made a proposal two weeks ago to ABX concerning the severance pay but hasn't received a response, Ross said. He declined to give details.

ABX intends to have its response by the time of the next negotiating session, as the federal mediators have asked, Graber said.

That session is scheduled Sept. 15-17 in Philadelphia, Ross said.

ABX said last week that the first round of layoffs due to the DHL reductions will claim the jobs of 197 aircraft maintenance employees, 26 pilots and 12 administrative employees in ABX's Wilmington operations by Oct. 24.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.