Another delivery system disruption as DHL Express Canada locks out workers and union strikes
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Unifor says DHL Express Canada locked out workers just after midnight today as the two sides failed to reach a contract deal, injecting more labour turmoil into the country's parcel delivery market.
The union, which represents 2,100 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse workers across seven provinces, says they went on strike in response at 11 a.m. ET.
Unifor says the German-owned carrier is proposing to change the driver pay system and planning to use replacement workers before legislation banning them comes into effect on June 20.
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The Province
a day ago
- The Province
Another delivery system disruption as DHL Express Canada locks out workers and union strikes
Unifor says 2,100 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse workers across seven provinces went on strike at 11 a.m. ET Sunday morning Published Jun 08, 2025 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 2 minute read A DHL delivery truck passes a company facility Oct. 20, 2020, in New York. Photo by Frank Franklin II / AP A strike and lockout that kicked off at DHL Canada Express on Sunday will barely tap the brakes on its parcel delivery service, the company says, as the union accuses it of deploying replacement workers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The carrier said it has rolled out a 'contingency plan' that allows it to keep serving its 50,000-plus customers, which range from retailer Lululemon to e-commerce giants Shein and Temu. 'With the implementation of these proactive measures, we are pleased to confirm that we can sustain our operations throughout our Canadian network, and we do not anticipate significant disruptions to our service,' DHL spokeswoman Pamela Duque Rai said Sunday in an email. Unifor, which represents more than 2,000 DHL truck drivers, couriers, warehouse and call centre employees, denounced any steps to supplant unionized workers with temporary ones. The move remains technically legal, said union president Lana Payne, as legislation banning replacement workers will not fully take effect until June 20. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'DHL sees this as a bit of a loophole and a time for them to put maximum pressure on our membership to concede,' she said in a phone interview. Unifor president Lana Payne. Photo by Postmedia Payne also warned of a chill setting in at the bargaining table. 'The relationship also worsens when you have an employer that thinks they can use replacement workers.' The company bused would-be temporary workers to a Hamilton, Ont., sorting facility for a tour last week and hinted in recent days it planned to take them on if a work stoppage unfolded, she claimed. The company did not immediately respond to questions about replacement hires. The work stoppage adds to the labour turmoil in the parcel market, as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers amid an overtime ban imposed by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Unifor said its bargaining priorities remain wages, working conditions and surveillance and automation in the workplace. It also pointed to DHL's proposals to change the driver pay system it said could see some workers travelling up to 100 kilometres for pickups with no compensation, on top of rerouted pickups and reduced pay for 'owner-operators' — independent contractors represented by Unifor alongside full-time employees. DHL was 'disappointed' it could not reach a deal, said Duque Rai. Its proposal includes a 15 per cent wage hike over five years as well as new premiums for transportation of dangerous goods, according to DHL. 'The proposed terms relating to the review of our routes and a revised compensation model for owner operators is designed to address changes to the economic viability and operational structure of the Canadian market and would continue to ensure that drivers operating for DHL Express receive highly competitive compensation,' she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The company poured cold water on the union's warning that the work stoppage could disrupt next weekend's Formula One Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, where DHL is responsible for transporting the turbocharged race cars. DHL's F-1 work is separate from its other operations in Canada, the company said. Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Vancouver Canucks Sports Local News Sports News
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
UNIFOR President expresses concern over potential use of replacement workers by DHL Express
Watch UNIFOR President Lana Payne explains the DHL lockout of 2,000+ workers, stalled talks, and the impact of the ongoing Canada Post disruptions.
