We’re writing to address the misleading communication sent to you by DHL’s CEO—a message clearly designed to create division, spread fear, and undermine your bargaining committee.
Let’s be clear: you are the union. Your bargaining committee is made up of DHL workers, elected by you, negotiating based on the priorities you gave us. Any suggestion otherwise is a deliberate attempt to paint us as outsiders and to sidestep your democratic voice in this process.
TORONTO— Today, Unifor is marking a watershed moment for workers across Canada as federal anti-scab legislation officially takes effect, banning employers from using replacement workers at federally-regulated workplaces during legal strikes or lockouts. This milestone is the direct result of years of tireless advocacy and organizing work by union members and allies across the country.
TORONTO—As Unifor members at courier giant DHL Express Canada remain locked out and on strike across the country, the union draws attention to this year’s International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)’s Safe Rates campaign that demands fair pay, good jobs and safe roads for truck drivers and couriers.
Unifor Local 973 members have voted in favour of a new three-year collective agreement with Coca-Cola, securing key gains in wages and pensions for 700 workers at the Brampton production facility.
The new agreement delivers annual wage increases of 4%, 4%, and 5% over the term of the contract, as well as improvements to the defined benefit pension plan, including a $2 per year increase—totaling $6 over the life of the agreement.
We want to make you aware of a brazen attempt by DHL Express Canada to circumvent new federal labour laws. The company has sent a letter to the federal government requesting a special exception from the effects of Bill C-58, the anti-scab legislation that comes into effect on Friday.
TORONTO—Unifor has responded to a brazen attempt by DHL Express Canada to circumvent new federal labour laws. The company sent a letter to the federal government requesting a special exception from the ramifications of Bill C-58, the anti-scab legislation that comes into effect on Friday.
The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., O.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada
The Honourable Minister Hajdu, P.C., M.P. Minister of Jobs and Families
The Honourable John Zerucelli, P.C., M.P. Secretary of State (Labour)
Re: DHL Canada
Prime Minister Carney, Minister Hajdu, Secretary Zerucelli,
In accordance with the Minister’s direction, we are responding to recent correspondence from DHL (Canada), Ltd. in which it seeks the Minister’s intervention pursuant to s. 107 of the Canada Labour Code (“Code”).
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize and honour the cultures, contributions, and enduring strength of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It is also a time for reflection—on Canada’s colonial history, on the ways in which ongoing settler-colonialism continues to impact the present-day realities of Indigenous communities, and on the union’s collective responsibility to work toward reconciliation through action.
Unifor Local 195 members working at the Best Western Plus in Windsor sent the employer an unequivocal message by voting 90% against the inadequate offer from the employer in a mandatory vote.
“Local 195 members will not be bullied into a contract that doesn’t address their concerns,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s time for the employer to begin good-faith negotiations to resolve this dispute. We’re ready to get a fair deal and won’t settle for anything less.”
On June 20, we mark World Refugee Day—an opportunity to honour the strength of those forced to flee and to recommit to the fight for their safety, dignity and rights.
According to the UNHCR, the number of forcibly displaced people around the world has reached a record 122.6 million. Behind this staggering figure are individuals and families uprooted by war, persecution, economic collapse and climate disasters—often with nowhere to turn. Yet instead of compassion, too many governments are responding with indifference.
TORONTO-Unifor is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Basil “Buzz” Hargrove, a beloved and iconic figure in Canada’s labour movement. As National President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) from 1992 until his retirement in 2008, Buzz was a tireless advocate for working people and a deeply respected leader whose impact will be felt for generations.
Today, your bargaining committee met with Geoff Walsh, CEO of DHL Express Canada. During this meeting, the company advised the union of its plans to suspend the import of international packages starting Monday, June 16, if a tentative agreement is not reached by then.
HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and IWK workers voted 58% in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement that sees general wage increases, wage adjustments for building trades, and retroactive shift premium increases.
Unifor National President Lana Payne joins locked out DHL workers on the Brampton picket line to deliver a powerful message of unity and resolve. These members are standing strong for a fair collective agreement that respects all DHL workers across Canada. From coast to coast, Unifor members are united in this fight—and they’re not backing down.
Forestry workers from across Northern Ontario gathered in Dryden, Ontario to discuss opportunities for the sector, challenges in their workplaces, hear from legal and pension experts, and from Unifor leadership on how the union is fighting for forestry jobs.
Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi and Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier opened the meeting with a review of the work the union is doing to push all levels of government for an industrial strategy for forestry, and to advocate using Canadian lumber and lumber products to help build us out of the housing crisis.
Unifor members from across the country gathered in Port Elgin from June 5 to 8 to strategize, learn, and fight for a stronger social safety net at the union’s annual EI/CPP Conference.
In a year defined by seismic political upheaval, high costs-of-living, and economic uncertainty, the need for Canada’s Employment Insurance and pension plans to meet the realities facing workers today is not only urgent, but also essential. Unifor members know that the system is broken—and are organizing to fix it.
As wildfires continue to burn across Western Canada, Unifor members in Saskatchewan are playing a vital role in helping northern residents reach safety—often while fleeing the flames themselves.
ST. JOHN’S—FFAW-Unifor has been recognized for its outstanding communications work, taking home two major honours at the 2025 Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) Awards, which celebrate excellence in union journalism and media production across the country.
Unifor members at Durham Region Transit (DRT) have ratified a new three-year agreement with Durham Region.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for working hard, right up until the strike deadline, to fight for a fair contract for our transit members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Transit workers are the frontline of our communities. We are proud to see improvements in this contract.”
The new contract, which will expire Feb. 28, 2028, includes a 14.24% wage increase over three years, and improvements to benefits and scheduling language.
DHL has reached out to the union through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and provided us with a revised offer, which they have requested FMCS present.
Your bargaining committee is meeting today at 2 p.m. EST with FMCS to review DHL’s revised offer of settlement.
We will keep the membership informed as we receive more details.
We are proud of our members continuously showing their strength in numbers in picket lines across Canada.
Lana Payne, Unifor National President, Originally published in The Hill Times
When we talk about building a new Canada through improved interprovincial trade and labour mobility, it’s tempting to think the biggest obstacles are bothersome regulations. But let’s not kid ourselves—what’s holding us back isn’t a patchwork of rules; it’s a patchwork of roads, rails, rivers, and rugged terrain.
Unifor’s Marine Sector, representing 3650 members who support the main trade routes for Canada, build ships, and are involved in protecting Canada’s coasts, is calling on all levels of government and industry to fight back against U.S. tariffs on Canadian good and services
This aggressive tariff regime, as well as American attacks on Canadian sovereignty, the resulting instability in trade and investment programs, and the opening of northern trade routes, necessitate the focus on and prioritization of Canada’s marine infrastructure and coastal borders.
We are providing another update as DHL has informed us they are locking us out.
As we received this news, our members initiated lockout picket lines across the country.
Unifor has decided to keep our strike notice in place at 11 a.m. EST. At that time, our members will be both locked out and on strike.
When the employer issued its lockout notice first, four days before the negotiations were scheduled to end, it was a sign of disrespect and pressure tactic for us to take concessions.
TORONTO—Unifor members at DHL Express Canada were locked out by their employer after midnight on June 8, after the workers refused to accept concessions put forth by the company.
“We will not stand by while DHL locks out our members across the country and threatens to use scabs in an attempt to pressure our members to take concessions. Our members deserve respect and a fair contract,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
We are providing another update as the deadline is fast approaching at midnight, which is the time DHL designated on their lockout notice filing.
The bargaining committee remains hard at work, negotiating with the employer, to get a reasonable agreement. We remain optimistic; however, we are aware that the clock is ticking and there are some outstanding issues which our union is still hammering out with DHL.
Unifor members at DHL Express Canada locations across the country have voted 97% in favour of strike action. While Unifor always remains committed to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table, we are prepared to use our right to strike.
DHL Express has likewise filed notice of its intent to lockout workers.
As we engage in bargaining, and in advance of the June 8th strike deadline, we expect DHL to bargain in good faith with the Union to negotiate a renewed collective agreement that respects workers.
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