'This is a historic dispute in our union's books because we were the test case for the new anti-scab legislation'
DHL Express Canada and Unifor have signed a new agreement, bringing an end to the labour dispute that disrupted operations for much of June.
The company has reinstated all services in Canada effective June 30, following the ratification of a four-year collective agreement, which remains in effect until July 1, 2029. Unifor confirmed the ratification on Saturday.
The new contract includes a 15.75% wage increase over its duration, a revised payment model for owner-operators, pension enhancements for hourly workers, and the introduction of a pension plan for owner-operators, according to Unifor.
Additionally, the agreement features increased short- and long-term disability payments, a new mental health benefit, improved severance terms, wage adjustments, and new provisions addressing automation, AI, robotics, and remote work.
"This is a historic dispute in our union's books because we were the test case for the new anti-scab legislation and our union and members stood tall, held strong, and the end result is we got a fair collective agreement,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne..
Canada’s anti-scab legislation received royal assent in mid-2024.
Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012 will improve labour relations, protect workers' right to strike, limit interruptions to collective bargaining and provide greater stability to our economy during federal labour disputes, according to the federal government.
Unifor members at DHL were locked out after midnight on June 8 and subsequently went on strike hours later. DHL shut down operations across Canada starting June 20 amid the strike and lockout involving 2,100 truck drivers and other workers.
Unifor represents over 2,100 DHL Express Canada workers across the country, including truck drivers, couriers, warehouse, and clerical staff. The union’s membership spans multiple provinces, with locals in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
In December 2024, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered striking Canada Post employees to return to work.
