DHL and Canada Post strikes could cause parcel mayhem

If you're anticipating a package in the mail, receiving it on time may be an issue, as Unifor DHL Express Canada members could strike if a deal is not reached with their employer.

A press release from the union stated that 97 per cent of workers voted in favour of strike action during the week-long vote, which began May 3. Unifor represents over 2,000 DHL Express Canada workers across the country.

This comes less than two weeks after Canada Post announced that a labour disruption could occur later this month.

Unifor noted that the courier and logistics company has been "aggressively reducing" hourly workers from full-time to part-time positions across the country. Other worker concerns include access to safe, clean washrooms, issues with rerouting, productivity, accommodation issues, and "many" terminations, the union added.

"Meanwhile, DHL's income for 2024 was 84 billion (euros), or C$131.7 billion," stated Unifor. 

The union began its bargaining process with DHL in September 2024, and Unifor added that both parties remain "far apart [on] almost all issues as the employer has refused to engage in monetary discussions at the table."

"We will fully support our members as they stand strong and fight for a fair contract," said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

"This is yet another multinational corporation putting billions of dollars of profits first, while leaving its employees way behind."

Unifor's next round of negotiations with DHL will take place from June 1 to 8.

"DHL Express Canada applied for conciliation, which puts each party in a legal strike or lockout position as of June 8, 2025," said the union.

The possibility of a DHL Express Canada workers' strike arises as Canada Post employees may also walk off the job within a matter of days.

Canada Post said that at the end of last year, the national strike was paused for the Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) to take place. As such, the collective agreements between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) were ordered extended until May 22, 2025.

"This means a labour disruption could happen as early as May 22, but not before," said Canada Post in a statement released at the end of April.

Last winter's Canada Post strike saw over 55,000 employees represented by CUPW walk off the job in mid-November. The strike resulted in major mail and package delays during the busy Christmas season, and even threatened small businesses.

The federal government ordered Canada Post employees back to work in December after the Minister of Labour announced his decision to invoke his authority under the Canada Labour Code.