Unite, the UK’s leading union, is preparing to ballot its workers employed by DHL at Halewood for strike action, as a direct result of the company’s management refusing to respond to serious safety concerns and victimising Unite reps.

DHL workers

The workers are employed by DHL on the logistics, distribution and transport contract for Jaguar Land Rover at its Halewood plant in Merseyside and plants across the Midlands.

The looming industrial action is a direct result of DHL refusing to deal with workers raising safety concerns. DHL has failed to respond to workers’ concerns about being forced to take defective vehicles onto the road.

Rather than deal with the workforce’s legitimate safety concerns, DHL has instead begun to victimise and dismiss Unite reps who have pursued the matter.

DHL guilty

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “DHL is guilty of what amounts to union busting. Not only are workers being placed in danger but Unite reps are being victimised when trying to protect our members.

 “DHL should take note that unless these matters are quickly resolved then Unite will leave no stone unturned to secure safe work terms for our members and justice for those who’ve been victimised.”

No confidence

Unite reps have tabled a collective grievance with the company setting out their concerns and stating that “we no longer have any trust or confidence in our management team including the health and safety manager". If the grievance is not swiftly and positively dealt with by DHL, the industrial action process will begin.

If strike action goes ahead at DHL it will cause severe disruption and likely lead to the plants grinding to a halt.

Shameful attitude

Unite national officer Matt Draper said: “DHL’s attitude is shameful and it is ignoring its own safety procedures, placing workers at risk.

“Unite has been trying for weeks to get these matters resolved without success. They are more interested in attacking stewards and ignoring safety concerns. Unless DHL takes the union’s concerns seriously, a ballot for strike action will begin shortly.”

ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.