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Unifor Atlantic Jennifer Murray brought the union’s advocacy to the forefront during the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) warehousing meeting in Brussels, Belgium this week.
On May 28, the ITF launched the world’s first global standards for decent work in warehousing, distribution, and logistics, “The 8 Principles for Decent Work.” This groundbreaking framework marks a major step forward in raising the floor for millions of workers across global supply chains.
This new framework will serve as an important tool for Unifor’s ongoing work to improve working conditions in the warehousing sector.
“Consumers may receive the final products at their doorstep, but they don’t see the working conditions behind the scenes,” said Murray.
“Unifor is proud to align and work with ITF’s principles. This is a call to action for companies, governments, and consumers to raise the bar and protect the workers powering the global supply chain.”
The eight points cover a wide range of critical issues including:
- Fundamental rights at work
- Health and safety
- Secure and decent employment
- Harassment and violence-free workplaces
- Responsible use of technology
- Just transition to climate-resilient warehousing
- Freedom of association and collective bargaining
- Effect grieving mechanisms.
Murray said Unifor will work with the ITF to engage with local unions to identify Canadian warehouses where they can conduct research and access the principles’ impact on the ground.
These new standards are a much-needed blueprint for a sector that has grown exponentially due to e-commerce but remains plagued by low labour standards, unsafe conditions, short-term employment contracts, and dehumanizing algorithmic control.
The ITF Women Transport Workers Department and the ITF Warehousing Team have also partnered to investigate the impacts of new technologies and AI on women workers in warehousing.
“We want to better understand the specific technologies being used and how they’re impacted women workers in the sectors that they are working in,” said Murray.
The "8 Principles for Decent Work" set out clear, enforceable benchmarks that uphold safety, fair employment, dignity, and fundamental rights at work.
As the warehousing industry evolves, these standards offer a critical roadmap toward equity, stability, and justice for all workers.
