DHL Express Canada has locked out more than 2,100 unionized workers after failing to reach a new labour deal with Unifor, the union representing drivers, couriers, warehouse staff, and call‑centre employees.
The lockout began just after midnight on Sunday, June 8, following a 72‑hour strike notice issued by Unifor. Negotiations had been underway since the previous contract expired on December 31, 2024.
Also Read: Canada Post rejects union’s arbitration request as financial struggles and labour tensions deepen
Unifor officials say DHL made new concession demands just hours before the deadline. These included changes to driver pay, reduced daily guarantees, more extended travel without compensation, and limiting company accommodation obligations.
Unifor President Lana Payne said the company’s actions are meant to pressure workers into accepting weaker terms. She cited plans to bring in temporary replacement workers—legally known as “scabs”, as long as anti‑replacement‑worker laws don’t take effect on June 20.
“These tactics threaten the bargaining relationship,” Payne said. “We will not be intimidated.” Unifor had already secured a 97 per cent member vote in favour of strike action if negotiations failed.
DHL said it has contingency plans to maintain essential package delivery services throughout Canada, however, it's not clear what the plan is.
It serves about 50,000 customers, including major retailers and e‑commerce platforms such as Lululemon, Shein, Temu, and Siemens.
Pamela Duque Rai, spokesperson for DHL, is confident that operations will not be significantly disrupted. The company offered a pay proposal that includes a 15 per cent wage increase over five years and new premiums for transporting dangerous goods.
DHL also said that its Formula One support services, which transport race cars to the Canadian Grand Prix, are managed separately and are not expected to be affected.
Unifor said its key demands remain improved wages, better working conditions (including clean washrooms), respect for owner‑operators, and protections against surveillance and undue automation.
DHL's proposals include a driver pay system for workers traveling up to 100 kilometers for pickups without compensation, rerouted pickups, and reduced pay for "owner-operators" represented by Unifor alongside full-time employees.
This lockout adds to the ongoing strain on Canada's parcel and logistics sector. Canada Post remains in contract talks with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and has recently implemented an overtime ban for 55,000 employees.
The lockout began just after midnight on Sunday, June 8, following a 72‑hour strike notice issued by Unifor. Negotiations had been underway since the previous contract expired on December 31, 2024.
Also Read: Canada Post rejects union’s arbitration request as financial struggles and labour tensions deepen
Unifor officials say DHL made new concession demands just hours before the deadline. These included changes to driver pay, reduced daily guarantees, more extended travel without compensation, and limiting company accommodation obligations.
Unifor President Lana Payne said the company’s actions are meant to pressure workers into accepting weaker terms. She cited plans to bring in temporary replacement workers—legally known as “scabs”, as long as anti‑replacement‑worker laws don’t take effect on June 20.
“These tactics threaten the bargaining relationship,” Payne said. “We will not be intimidated.” Unifor had already secured a 97 per cent member vote in favour of strike action if negotiations failed.
DHL said it has contingency plans to maintain essential package delivery services throughout Canada, however, it's not clear what the plan is.
It serves about 50,000 customers, including major retailers and e‑commerce platforms such as Lululemon, Shein, Temu, and Siemens.
Pamela Duque Rai, spokesperson for DHL, is confident that operations will not be significantly disrupted. The company offered a pay proposal that includes a 15 per cent wage increase over five years and new premiums for transporting dangerous goods.
DHL also said that its Formula One support services, which transport race cars to the Canadian Grand Prix, are managed separately and are not expected to be affected.
Unifor said its key demands remain improved wages, better working conditions (including clean washrooms), respect for owner‑operators, and protections against surveillance and undue automation.
DHL's proposals include a driver pay system for workers traveling up to 100 kilometers for pickups without compensation, rerouted pickups, and reduced pay for "owner-operators" represented by Unifor alongside full-time employees.
This lockout adds to the ongoing strain on Canada's parcel and logistics sector. Canada Post remains in contract talks with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and has recently implemented an overtime ban for 55,000 employees.
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
Read More News on
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
