Latest news with #PamelaDuqueRai
Hamilton Spectator
13 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
DHL Express to suspend operations countrywide amid strike, lockout
DHL Express Canada plans to shut down operations across the country this week amid a strike and lockout involving 2,100 truck drivers and other workers, adding to turmoil in the parcel market. With the two sides at an impasse, the company said it will halt thousands of daily deliveries starting Friday — the same day that federal legislation banning replacement workers takes full effect. DHL will stop receiving inbound packages to Canada from abroad on Tuesday at 9 p.m., DHL said in an email. Spokeswoman Pamela Duque Rai pointed to stalled negotiations with Unifor and the legislation known as Bill C-58, 'which prohibits the use of replacement workers during industrial action,' she noted. On June 8, the German-owned carrier said it was rolling out a 'contingency plan' that allowed it to keep serving its more than 50,000 customers, which range from retailer Lululemon to e-commerce giants Shein and Temu. Duque Rai had said in an email at the time that DHL did not expect 'significant disruptions' to its service. Unifor, which represents DHL truck drivers, couriers and warehouse and call centre employees, had warned against any steps to supplant unionized workers with temporary ones, with president Lana Payne saying the move would impose a chill on contract talks. Last Friday, Unifor's bargaining committee said it had met with DHL Express Canada CEO Geoff Walsh, who stressed the possibility of a halt the following week. 'We will not be intimidated by the company's threats to disrupt service or shut down operations,' the committee said in a June 13 bulletin to members. The upcoming pause adds to the labour tumult in the parcel sector, as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers amid strained negotiations and an overtime ban imposed by the union last month. Canada is not the only country struggling with falling mail volumes — a key factor in the impasse between the two sides — and DHL is among those feeling the pinch. In March it announced plans to cut 8,000 jobs in Germany this year, marking the largest set of layoffs in its home market in decades. Back in Canada, Duque Rai sought to frame the union's proposals as unreasonable. 'While we are committed to fair compensation for our employees, our position is that Unifor's demands — a 22 per cent salary increase for hourly employees, as well as a 42 per cent salary increase for owner-operators — do not reflect the current economic landscape and would jeopardize our operational viability,' she said. Payne said DHL has been seeking concessions since negotiations kicked off nearly a year ago. She highlighted a push by the company to change the pay model for owner-operators — roughly 500 independent contractors drive for DHL and also have union membership — in a way she claimed would reduce their compensation, not boost it. 'What we've seen over many months of bargaining are what I would say is an attempt to divide workers in classifications, pit one group against another, pit one region against another,' Payne said in a phone interview on June 8. A group of employers expressed concerns Tuesday about the effect of legislation passed under the previous Liberal government to ban replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces, pointing to DHL as the latest example of potential disruption. 'Canadians should prepare for more frequent and prolonged work stoppages that can impact supply chains, critical infrastructure and the broader economy,' said Daniel Safayeni, CEO of Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications, in a statement. The group called for a more 'balanced labour relations framework.' In contrast, labour groups have decried federal intervention in labour disputes over the past year, including strikes by railworkers, B.C. dockworkers and WestJet mechanics. Unifor has said its bargaining priorities with DHL revolve around wages, working conditions and surveillance and automation in the workplace. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.
Toronto Sun
14 hours ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
DHL Express to suspend Canadian operations amid strike, lockout
Published Jun 17, 2025 • 1 minute read An employee manoeuvres a forklift at the new DHL distribution centre, which is scheduled to begin operations on July 4, 2025, at Lyon-Saint-Exupery airport in Colombier-Saugnieu, near Lyon, France, June 5, 2025. Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP / Getty Images DHL Express Canada says it will shut down operations across the country amid a strike and lockout involving 2,100 truck drivers and other 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. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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 Don't have an account? Create Account With the two sides at an impasse, the company says it will halt parcel deliveries starting June 20, the day federal legislation banning replacement workers takes full effect. Inbound packages to Canada will cease on Tuesday night. On June 8, the German-owned carrier said it was rolling out a 'contingency plan' that allowed it to keep serving its more than 50,000 customers, which range from retailer Lululemon to e-commerce giants Shein and Temu. Spokeswoman Pamela Duque Rai had said in an email at the time that DHL did not expect 'significant disruptions' to its service. Unifor, which represents DHL truck drivers, couriers and warehouse and call centre employees, had warned against any steps to supplant unionized workers with temporary ones, with president Lana Payne saying the move would impose a chill on contract talks. The upcoming shutdown adds to the labour turmoil in the parcel market, as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers amid strained negotiations and an overtime ban imposed by the union last month. Toronto Maple Leafs Canada NHL Toronto Maple Leafs Music
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DHL Express to suspend operations countrywide amid strike, lockout
DHL Express Canada says it will shut down operations across the country amid a strike and lockout involving 2,100 truck drivers and other workers. With the two sides at an impasse, the company says it will halt parcel deliveries starting June 20, the day federal legislation banning replacement workers takes full effect. Inbound packages to Canada will cease on Tuesday night. On June 8, the German-owned carrier said it was rolling out a "contingency plan" that allowed it to keep serving its more than 50,000 customers, which range from retailer Lululemon to e-commerce giants Shein and Temu. Spokeswoman Pamela Duque Rai had said in an email at the time that DHL did not expect "significant disruptions" to its service. Unifor, which represents DHL truck drivers, couriers and warehouse and call centre employees, had warned against any steps to supplant unionized workers with temporary ones, with president Lana Payne saying the move would impose a chill on contract talks. The upcoming shutdown adds to the labour turmoil in the parcel market, as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers amid strained negotiations and an overtime ban imposed by the union last month. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
DHL Express to suspend operations countrywide amid strike, lockout
DHL Express Canada says it will shut down operations across the country amid a strike and lockout involving 2,100 truck drivers and other workers. With the two sides at an impasse, the company says it will halt parcel deliveries starting June 20, the day federal legislation banning replacement workers takes full effect. Inbound packages to Canada will cease on Tuesday night. On June 8, the German-owned carrier said it was rolling out a 'contingency plan' that allowed it to keep serving its more than 50,000 customers, which range from retailer Lululemon to e-commerce giants Shein and Temu. Spokeswoman Pamela Duque Rai had said in an email at the time that DHL did not expect 'significant disruptions' to its service. Unifor, which represents DHL truck drivers, couriers and warehouse and call centre employees, had warned against any steps to supplant unionized workers with temporary ones, with president Lana Payne saying the move would impose a chill on contract talks. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. The upcoming shutdown adds to the labour turmoil in the parcel market, as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers amid strained negotiations and an overtime ban imposed by the union last month. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.
