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”).
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.
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 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.
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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