TORONTO, Canada - DHL Express Canada is set to resume full operations on Monday, June 30, 2025, following the ratification of a new four-year labor agreement by union workers, effectively ending a nearly three-week strike and lockout [1][2].

Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union, announced on Saturday that 72% of its members voted in favor of the new collective bargaining agreement [2][3]. The labor dispute, which began on June 8, affected more than 2,100 DHL Express Canada employees, including truck drivers, couriers, warehouse workers, and clerical staff [2][3].

The new contract includes several key provisions:

A 15.75% wage increase over the four-year term [1][3] Pension increases for hourly workers and a new pension for owner-operators [2][3] Increases in short- and long-term disability payments [2] New mental health benefits [2] Updated language around artificial intelligence, robotics, and work-from-home policies [2]

Lana Payne, Unifor National President, expressed pride in the union's negotiating team, stating, 'This is a historic dispute in our union's books because we were the test case for the new anti-scab legislation and our union and members stood tall, held strong, and the end result is we got a fair collective agreement.' [3]

DHL Express Canada acknowledged the resolution, saying, 'DHL Express Canada has worked diligently and in good faith with Unifor's bargaining committee to reach a fair deal and ensure a prompt return to service... We are excited to resume our operations and welcome back all our team members.' [1]

While services are set to resume, Unifor has noted that there is no definite timeline for clearing the backlog of packages and deliveries that accumulated during the work stoppage [3]. The union has asked for public patience as workers address the backlog.

This resolution marks a significant development in Canada's logistics and delivery sector, potentially setting precedents for future labor negotiations in the industry. The inclusion of provisions addressing artificial intelligence and robotics also reflects the evolving nature of work in the digital age.