DHL Express Canada employees voted 97 per cent in favour of strike action
Farmers who use DHL Express Canada to send or receive mail or packages may have to find an alternative service.
On May 10, 97 per cent of the more than 2,000 employees represented by Unifor voted in favour of strike action if the union and employer can’t reach an agreement.
This situation affects drivers, warehouse, and administrative staff.
Employees would be in a legal strike position as of June 8. DHL Express Canada could also lock out workers on that date.
The two sides are “far apart on almost all issues as the employer has refused to engage in monetary discussions at the table,” Unifor says in a May 12 release.
Canada Post is still inching towards a work stoppage of its own.
The Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) stopped negotiations as of May 13 as the May 22 deadline approaches.
This decision comes after “several days of discussions without meaningful progress,” Canada Post said in a statement.
In response, CUPW called the decision “reprehensible” and said this could have a negative effect on Canada Post’s already challenging situation.
“By walking away from the table now, Canada Post will only drive away more customers, at a time where it desperately needs to grow,” the union said.
And Canadian customers who bring in goods from the U.S. via UPS will be paying a little more.
The courier is placing additional charges on shipments to Canada which take effect May 18, four days before the proposed deadline between Canada Post and CUPW.
Customers using UPS Worldwide Economy will pay an extra $1.25 per pound.
UPS Standard customers will pay an extra 49 cents per package.
And UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Worldwide Saver, UPS Worldwide Express Plus, UPS Worldwide Expedited, and UPS Worldwide Express Freight customers will see their costs go up by 49 cents per pound.