About 2,000 DHL logistics workers, who sort and deliver components at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sites across the UK, are being balloted for industrial action, including the option to strike, after receiving no pay rise since 2018, Unite the union said today (Wednesday 20 October).

Unite understands that DHL has accepted about £95 million of taxpayers’ furlough cash. The company globally made profits of £1.2 billion. The ballot closes on Monday 15 November.

The union warned that the impact of any industrial action at the sites at Castle Bromwich, Halewood, Hams Hall, Midpoint Tyrefort (West Midlands) and Solihull would be ‘serious and immediate’.

DHL has offered 1.75 per cent to cover the two-and-a-half years from 2020, which was ‘grossly inadequate’, given the soaring cost of living and the RPI inflation rate at 4.9 per cent.

Unite was having talks with DHL bosses under the auspices of the conciliation service Acas today (Wednesday 20 October).

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “DHL was happy to take tens of millions of taxpayers’ furlough money and worldwide has made more than £1 billion in profit. DHL can well afford to give the workforce a decent pay rise – the first since 2018 - and the members will have full union support in getting a decent deal.”

Unite national officer for road transport and logistics Matt Draper said: “Any industrial action by our members, who sort and deliver components to the production lines, will have a serious and immediate impact on vehicle production. The current offer is grossly inadequate.

“We are having talks at Acas today and we hope DHL has sent the right people and brings forward constructive proposals for a decent pay increase that will avert possible strike action.”

Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish workers' living standards.

ENDS 

Notes to editors:                                                              

For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Shaun Noble on 020 3371 2060 or 07768 693940. Unite press office is on:  020 3371 2065.

Please note the numbers above are for journalists’ enquiries only.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org 

Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.