DHL workers vote to take strike action at JLR Solihull in dispute over pay
Around 300 employees of DHL Supply Chain based at JLR's Solihull plant have voted in favour of taking strike action over pay, while more than 300 DHL HGV drivers working on the DHL contract have also voted to strike.
If an agreement over pay cannot be reached between DHL and Unite, the union representing the workers, staff will begin "indefinite strike action" in early May.
Around 600 in total are expected to be involved in the strike action – half logistics workers working at the Solihull site and half HGV drivers in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Solihull and Widnes.
Logistics workers at JLR Solihull will begin an indefinite strike on 7 May, while the dates for strike action involving HGV drivers have yet to be announced.
“JLR will not be happy that its operations are facing severe disruption because DHL is refusing to put forward a fair pay offer out of greed," said Unite regional officer Melvyn Palmer. "Strike action can still be avoided but that will require DHL tabling a deal our members can accept.”
The dispute surrounds an offer of a 3% pay rise for logistics workers and HGV drivers involved in delivering parts and cars to and from JLR’s West Midlands and North West operations. Unite has asserted that this offer represents a real terms wage cut as the RPI rate of inflation currently stands at 3.6%.
“DHL is hugely profitable – it can more than afford to put forward an acceptable pay offer and that is what needs to happen," commented Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. "Unite always defends our members' jobs, pay and conditions and DHL’s JLR workforce have their union’s full backing in taking strike action for a fair pay rise.”
"We regret that Unite members based at one of our automotive transport contracts have voted in favour of industrial action," a spokesperson for DHL Supply Chain told Automotive Logistics. "We remain open to constructive discussions and are committed to reaching a resolution for all parties that recognises the contribution of our colleagues, while protecting the long-term competitiveness of the operation."
News of strike action at JLR's Solihull plant follows the pause of production lines due to a supply shortage in May and an extended production shutdown due to a cyberattack last year.
JLR was approached for comment and pointed to DHL for an official statement.
