Thousands of DHL Express Workers Prepared to Strike by March 31

Thousands of DHL Express workers in the United States are prepared to walk out if a new contract agreement with the company isn’t reached by the end of the month.

In early March, 6,000 workers at the international logistics company voted by a 96 percent margin to authorize a strike against DHL, which employs more than 550,000 people worldwide.

The current DHL Teamsters national master agreement, which covers thousands of drivers and warehouse workers, is set to expire March 31. The union has informed management at DHL that all supplemental bargaining must be completed by that date.

“DHL has been made fully aware there will be no extensions. If the company fails to present an acceptable contract, Teamsters will be forced to take action,” Maura Drumm, a spokeswoman for Teamsters, told The Epoch Times.

Teamsters leaders have finished supplemental negotiations, Drumm added, and are seeking to finalize the national agreement before their deadline. She said if DHL Express union workers don’t get the contract improvements they seek, the strike could hurt the logistics giant.

“A labor dispute would involve thousands of DHL Express Teamsters across 26 local unions in 16 states and would have a serious impact on DHL’s operations in the United States,” Drumm said. “Our members are demanding a contract that raises standards, strengthens working conditions, and protects hard-earned benefits.”

In 2023, more than 1,100 DHL workers carried out a 12-day strike at DHL’s global hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. After picket lines extended across the country, the nationwide walk-out forced DHL to increase wages $5 per hour over a three-year period, double the company’s 401(k) retirement contribution, and pay the costs of health care premiums.

“This wouldn’t be the first fight Teamsters have waged to win the contract they deserve,” Rick Marquis, a DHL Express driver and member of Teamsters Local 25 in Boston, said in a statement. “Just like our brothers and sisters [in Kentucky] proved in 2023, we are ready to stand up and win. DHL must give us a fair contract before March 31, or we will be on the picket line.”

DHL Express offers expedited shipping worldwide for customers who need fast delivery. Items shipped often deliver the next day and include real-time tracking updates.

The company’s express delivery also includes a more simplified customs clearance and is best for urgent, valuable, or time-sensitive packages, the company states on its website.

DHL Express did not return a request for comment by the time of publication.